Recent Reviews for Jeff's CD Release: The Opening Track on "Here Comes Life" entitled "Let's get It Started" is quite reminiscent of Tower Of Power which begs to ask that Zona must have had an influence of the funk or jazz funk if you will. with the guitar in the forefront of this song, it's like someone dropped Stevie Ray Vaughn in for a quick solo chorus with Tower of Power band backing him up, and then after the horn break section, they dropped in Brent Mason for a quick solo on the modern country section and then finish off with a sort of good ole rock 'n' roll Eagles or Edgar Winter band and drop in Joe Walsh on the slide guitar only to come back to the country- funk guitar riff hook to end the song that seems to contain all the elements a guitar connoissuer would need, it even has a short acoustic only section.
Zona reminds us of someone that could be a member of Band Of Heathens with his guitar and vocal contributions. Although not roughed up enough for Cajun-Country he is a little more on the slick style that seems to be more in the vain of Robben Ford (who sounds like he was dropped in on a solo in "Funky Cow") or another of his L.A. influences like Toto. He has been referred to as the California Cowboy having grown up in Southern California, his Chameleon-like qualities are really put to use on his latest release. It's not hard core blues, country, rock, or adult contemporary, it's everything in between. Vocally there's no mistaken that this guy probably sang some Vince Gill in the smokey honky-tonk bars across the U.S. after all he did make a living for years singing harmony with Lee Greenwood on tour. He is vocally influenced by some iconic singer/songwriters by the likes of Kenny Loggins, Paul Carrack, Vince Gill, George Benson, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Chris Issack and Rodney Crowell to name a few.
One could say that there's almost a new style emerging from the instrumental tracks on "Here Comes Life" and that style is called Funktry! This album is not overly self-indulgent in terms of relentless rambling or riffing on guitar, but what you will find is some nice grooves and just enough guitar-wielding to interest both the average listener and music aficionados alike.
