God Bird Change

The Zoo Crew is spinning the fiery track "God Bird Change" by Al Di Meola from his 1982 album Electric Rendezvous, and Zoo Freaks, this one’s a wild ride! Composed by percussionist Mingo Lewis, this song kicks off the album with a hard-driving rhythm section, dominated by exotic percussion that gives it a unique texture. Reviewers on ProgArchives call it a "fiery guitar...classic Di Meola" piece, blending funk elements with complex jazz fusion improvisation. The track features standout contributions from Jan Hammer’s synth solos and Mingo Lewis’ noteworthy percussion, creating a dynamic, upbeat tempo that’s perfect for getting the Zoo Freaks grooving. One fan on Classic Rock Review noted how Al Di Meola used the percussion-heavy intro to showcase a different facet of his musical style, making it a bold opener that sets the tone for the album’s rockier jazz fusion vibe.

Digging deeper, "God Bird Change" is a testament to Di Meola’s collaborative spirit during this era. The song’s funky clavinet, bass, and keys, as highlighted in a ProgArchives review, create a weird but captivating mix of sounds and styles. Unlike some of Di Meola’s more guitar-centric tracks, this one shares the spotlight with Hammer’s synthesizer work, making them equal partners in the composition. Fans on Amazon UK rave about how Di Meola and Hammer’s interplay on this track, along with others like "Cruisin’" and "Black Cat Shuffle," pushes the boundaries of jazz-rock fusion without tipping into heavy metal, despite the album’s electrified panther cover art. It’s a track that captures the Zoo Crew’s love for eclectic, high-energy sounds that keep the Zoo Freaks dancing.

Now, let’s talk about how Al Di Meola got his start. Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on July 22, 1954, Di Meola grew up surrounded by the music of Elvis Presley, The Ventures, and The Beatles. He picked up the guitar as a youngster and was already an accomplished player by his early teens. According to his bioazionali

bio on his official website, Di Meola’s intense dedication saw him practicing eight to ten hours a day between his junior and senior years of high school, honing his craft to find a musical style that suited his guitar. His early influences included jazz guitarists Tal Farlow and Kenny Burrell, but it was Larry Coryell, dubbed “The Godfather of Fusion,” who inspired Di Meola to blend jazz, blues, and rock into a seamless vocabulary. By 1972, he enrolled at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he joined a quartet led by keyboardist Barry Miles. A tape of this group reached Chick Corea, who invited Di Meola to replace Bill Connors in the fusion supergroup Return to Forever, launching his career into the spotlight.

Zoo Freaks can stay connected with Al Di Meola through his official Facebook page, with over 831,000 likes, where he shares tour updates and music news, or follow him on Instagram for behind-the-scenes glimpses. On X, he engages with fans about his latest projects, like his 2020 Beatles tribute album Across the Universe. Fans can also join the vibrant Al Di Meola Fan Group on Facebook, a community for sharing memories, concert photos, and discussions about his music. For more fan-driven content, check out the Al Di Meola Forum, a dedicated space for enthusiasts to connect and celebrate his nearly 50-year career.