Alzo

by Steve HueyAlzo was an early-'70s singer/songwriter from New York whose mellow brand of folk-rock was tinted with unexpected brown-eyed soul and Latin influences. His full performing name was Alzo Fronte, and he has been credited with the birth name of Alfred Affrunti. His first recordings were made in 1968 with partner Udine (likely born Ali Noor Uddi), initially under the name Keepers of the Light, with Jeff Barry producing. Changing their name to Alzo & Udine, the duo issued several singles on Mercury over 1968-1969, and cut an album titled C'Mon and Join Us!, also in 1969. While possessed of a strong hippie-folk flavor, the record also featured plentiful Latin percussion and, given its soft sound, surprisingly soulful vocals from its creators. Alzo subsequently went solo and recorded a self-titled album, which was apparently released by Ampex in 1971 and again by Bell in 1972.