under review with Norman Williams Zeena Gulzar CD: Do I

I remember Zeena's hit Stress in a Box a while back, but otherwise the work of this Anglo-Asian girl from Nottingham is new to me.
And whilst it's not the sort of music that I would necessarily listen to - nor review on the whole - I'm glad that I took the time to listen to this, her debut album.
Zeena's got a pleasant if not particularly -distinctive voice. And she uses it to good effect on ' the opening/title track Do I. It's a dreamy dance-type lullaby with good vocals and soft riffs.
Wanna Fall in Love .. With You is a good example of the beat and bass line which seems central to most of the tracks, and it's catchy enough. Likewise , My Little Island, although I'm not too sure about the line 'Let me sink inside of you'!
The pace drops off a touch in Falling ... For You, which is not great -1 preferred the acoustic version later on the album.
Was it You is funky, and drum and bass is to the fore on Movin' On ... Goin' Places, which doubtless will be enjoyed by dance floor clubbers everywhere.
The slower Together We Are Beautiful is a great song, and Zeena does it well.
The 12-track album also has another few mainly drum and bass tracks, and an Ibiza re-mix of Movin' On ... Goin' Places.
And in response to the question in the title track, when Zeena asks "Do I do it for you?", I guess the answer is "yes, she certainly does!".

Republic Media
www.republicmedia.net
10 November 2005

Do I - Zeena Gulzar Album Review by AllGigs

Twenty six year old Nottingham beauty Zeena Gulzar looks like someone out of All Saints. Initially, from track one, you also think she sounds like one. That’s too simplistic a comparison. After a series of setbacks two years ago, she finally gets her chance at stardom. Daughter of a Pakistani father and mother with an Irish background, it looks as though she could hold her own in the cluttered world of pop-princesses who veer towards Euro-disco and slushy balladeering – with one exception – she can sing.

It’s a lightweight voice which adapts easily as she attempts to steal Kylie’s crown, though that’ll take some doing. Her nearest rival could be Sophie Ellis- Bextor in terms of styling and audio chic-ness.

Both dance – For All The Seasons and Kylie dead ringer I Wanna Fall In Love With You ( some great hooks there ) and slowies Falling For You are immaculately delivered with a superb production team behind her at Ben Robbin’s Wimbledon studio.

The overall feel is upbeat and very stylish. Her neatly packed voice is pure, but lacks distinction and character. She does make a fist of it on the acoustic Falling For You, and there’s a cool Ibiza remix of Movin.

Selected tracks should be picked up by most radio stations both here and mainland Europe. Gulzar is in a competitive niche, and with some luck she could make it.

Low point: horrific karaoke style Together We Are Beautiful, which destroys the original beauty by one hit wonder Fern Kinney in 1980.

Plus point– ubiquitous contemporary pop at its best, with a dash of sophistication.

Drawback – doesn’t write her own songs.

Elly Roberts
www.allgigs.co.uk
November 2005

ZEENA's album 'DO I' - Tracks

'DO I'….A song from first time writer Shane Smith, produced by Porl deserving of it's place on the album.
© s. smith/joustwise

'Wanna Fall in Love .. with you'….Written by Jeremy Paul produced by Porl Young, Jeremy produced the huge 80's hit 'Walk in the Park'.
© j.paul/joustwise

'My Little Island'…. Great song by veteran writer Nick Straker, produced by Ben 'Jammin' Robins, Nick wrote the hits 'Walk in the Park' & 'Little Bit of Jazz'.
© n.straker/joustwise

'Falling for you'…Ben wrote 'Falling' for Zeena this version is the well crafted Porl Youg production & initiated the move into using live sounds & musicains.
© b.robbins/joustwise

'Was it You'….A Ben Robbins written & produced that survived the cull !!
© b.robbins/joustwise

'Movin' On..goin' places'….an early Ben Robbins song now produced by Porl, delivered to complete the album in March 2005.
© b.robbins/joustwise

'You're My Angel'….A Ben Robbins song, produced by Porl Young.
©b.robbins/joustwise

'Together We Are Beautiful'…just a great song only 'cover' on the album a 'hit' for Fern Kinney, produced by Porl Young & a chance for Zeena to show her vocal talents !
© le.ray/brampton musicintl/sony music

'For All the Seasons'
Written & produced by Ben Robbins on reflection maybe we should have done some more work on this one - deserves a 'cover'.
© b.robbins/joustwise/copyright control

'Falling for you'….Acoustic version with Thomas Bromley.

'Movin' On..goin' places'…. StuartB Ibiza remix.

'DO I'….Vocal chorus reprise.

Other Zeena tracks including the # 1 club anthem 'Stress in a Box' not included on this album will be release on a dance 'hits' 4DANCE Records/Red Balloon Records double CD in the autumn of 2005.

Subscription downloads of these tracks & Zeena tracks not included on the album are available on a multitude of download servers including Napster, iTunes, Sony & Wippitt.