Nicola Conte - Free Souls (2014)

An accomplished juggler when it comes to play with styles, capable to invent modern structures, Nicola got us used to his ability to blend harmonically different musical worlds and create cooperation between great musicians. Deepness is the added value of his new album, something in between consciousness and spirituality. Nothing to share with futile trends, this record is a result of an urgent need to research in the depth of the soul and his musical influences.

The album features the talents of José James, Marvin Parks, Heidi Vogel, Melanie Charles, Tasha’s World and Bridgette Amofah, accompanied by a team of incredible jazzmen like Teppo Makynen, Magnus Lindgren, Greg Osby, Timo Lassy, Francesco Lento, Logan Richardson and Fabrizio Bosso.

Sugarpie & The Candymen - Waiting for the One (2014)

“Waiting For the One” is the third and brand new effort for Sugarpie and the Candymen.

Why the title “Waiting for the One“? As the exact meaning goes, “waiting for someone, something that really makes a difference” it can be an event, a moment, a person … not waiting for something to change but more of a hope and a promise.This album, in fact, represents a further evolution in the sound and in the musical direction of the band. The ‘Swing’ trademark it’s always there but the spectrum broadens with new colours,styles and inspirations: the marching bands of New Orleans, Cuban sound, Reggae, Nu Jazz, Rhythm and Blues of early 50′s, all of these Sounds are here, and… why not? Pop as well!

The Record is equally made up by originals songs and covers, as we have seen in their previous work “Swing’n'Roll,” but here the tracking list is shuffled differently to show that there are two sides of the same coin.

Alessandro Scala Quartet - Viaggio Stellare (2013)

 

The new album by Alessandro Scala connects itself to the fertile and alluring scene of contemporary Hard-Bop that is constantly proving its quality with solid results, especially in Italy. This work is a perfect balance of traditional  influences and contemporary inspirations, an intense and fruitful study that leads to a new, rich and articulate way of expression. Through his original compositions and the intense dialogue with trumpeter Fabrizio Bosso and trombonist Roberto Rossi, Alessandro consciously builds a sparse and sometimes lyrical language, enhanced by the rhythm section provided by Nico Menci, Paolo Ghetti and Stefano Paolini. The result is vivid and bright. Another valuable piece has been added our considerable Jazz history.

- Paolo Fresu

Funky Mama - Funky Mama ep (2013)

After exploding onto the scene in September with single "Ottobre: fuga dalla stazione centrale",which caught the attention of stations worldwide with airplay that went from Radio Helsinki to Sydney's much respected 2SER or John Warr's cult radio show "Afrobase" on Juice fm Brighton, new Italian afro-funk outfit Funky Mama is now ready to reveal it's debut self-titled EP out on limited edition vinyl + CD and digital download. "Funky Mama EP" contains 4 original instrumental tracks of explosive afrobeat-inspired grooves served with the typical warmth and rawness that characterizes Southern Italy, where the band members are all originally from.

Calibro 35 - Traditori Di Tutti (2013)

There's one thing that Italians do better than others; funky soundtracks. Quentin Tarantino knows best, "soundtracks from Italian movies of the '60s and the '70s are the THING!" Calibro 35 does with music what Tarantino does with films. They borrow what they love and they make it their own. With Rolling Stone magazine's words "Calibro 35 are the most fascinating, "retro-maniac" and genuine thing, that happened to Italy in the last years", think; The Budos Band meets Morricone.

Calibro 35 land on Record Kicks with their new album Traditori di Tutti, the forth LP by Milan's combo, inspired by noir masterpiece novel Betrayers published by the father of Italian noir, award-winning and Tarantino's crime fiction favorite author; Giorgio Scerbanenco.

Gazzara - The Bossa Lounge Experience (2013)

“The Bossa Lounge Experience” is the new album by GAZZARA. A familiar title for long time followers of the act led by keyboardist and producer Francesco Gazzara, as it recalls the group’s past collaborations with some brazilian music stars (jazz singer Ithamara Koorax, poet, lyric writer Paulo Sergio Valle) and also the band’s old infatuation for the repertoire of Eumir Deodato.

Their sixth album to date - released by Irma Records after GAZZARA returned to this label following 2 CD’s “Brother And Sister“ (2006) and “My Cup Of Tea“ (2009) produced by Silence/Ritmica - fully reveals the band’s musical preferences through a number of cover versions - some totally unexpected - produced and arranged with the recognizable GAZZARA style. The album sound is rooted in the traditional bossa trio formula ( Azymuth), with Rhodes electric piano and Hammond organ perfectly suited to an extremely tight rhythmic session (Massimo Sanna on bass, Mauro “Mirtao” Mirti on drum and percussion, both founder members of GAZZARA) which balances vintage soundtrack moods with samba/funk dance grooves.

Danielle Baldelli - Back to my Funky Side (2013)

Maybe the best record we've ever heard from Cosmic mainman Daniele Baldelli – and definitely a set that really lives up to the funky side promised in the title! Baldelli's got a much deeper groove here than ever before – a great ear for tight elements on the basslines, mixed with jazzy work on keyboards and guitar – all woven into a groove that's every bit as club-worth as his other music, yet a lot more warm and soulful overall! It's almost like Daniele's going back to discover a disco generation he might have missed the first time around – with a retro style that's hard to distinguish from the original, a lot like Joey Negro and some of his Sunshine Band work. Titles include "Mellow Game", "Good Day", "What Da Funk", "Voltage Groove", "Synthesized Honey", "Break Loose", "Drive Me Crazy", and "Fontainebleau".  © 1996-2013, Dusty Groove, Inc.

Mario Biondi - Sun (2013)

by SoulCuts 

The first essential soul purchase of 2013 comes courtesy of Italy’s Mario Biondi. His new album, Sun, produced by Mario and Incognito‘s Bluey, is as good an album as we’re likely to hear all year. Awash with strings, horns, impeccable production, timeless songwriting and that unmistakable voice, Sun delivers on the promise of Mario‘s earlier material and confirms his position as one of the world’s finest soul and jazz vocalists doing the business in 2013.

Sun plays at the intersection of soul and jazz, with enough spirit and meat on its bones to satisfy the most hardened critic on either side of the spectrum. Mario possesses one of those sing-the-telephone-book voices that enthrals irrespective of the quality of the songs. But the very good news is that Sun has an abundance of well crafted songs ripe for repeated plays.

Frisina/Bonizzoni - Voices of the jungle/Orient ep (2013)

This EP tells the story of an encounter between two jazz lovers and record collectors, two producers with different stories and approach to music creation.

Gerardo, whose contributions to italian jazz scene went far beyond Italy's border, needs no introduction to Schema's fans. Maurizio Bonizzoni hails from a tremendous hip hop background - under the name of Skizo, he literally paved the way for the develop of italian hip hop culture founding in 1984 "Radical Stuff", the first italian hip hop group and producing artists and crews like Genta Guasta, Frankie Hi-Nrg and Alien Army just to name a few.

S-Tone Inc. - Lost & Found (2013)

Lost & Found, is the sixth album by S-Tone Inc., four years after the previous “Moon In Libra”.

As the title suggests, S-Tone Inc takes us into a journey through a collection of new and old unreleased tracks, part of whom were produced during the last ten years and for several reasons were not included in the previous releases. 

Now, the "lost" tracks have been "found" and surprisingly still sound fresh and capture the real spirit of the best S-Tone Inc. productions. 

The new tracks show a new direction, more moody and intense. These songs are the output of the sound exploration carried on by Stefano Tirone during the last two years, an exploration that brought him close to nw genres such as ambient rock and acoustic soul. 

Mop Mop - Isle of Magic (2013)

Andrea Benini, the man behind Mop Mop, worked together with Anthony Joseph and living legend Fred Wesley on his new album "Isle Of Magic". Anyone familiar with Mop Mop will already know that their refined style has already lend them a unique place somewhere between the worlds of jazz, funk, latin and the Italian Postmodern style allowed the band to achieve the International film business as part of Woody Allen's 'To Rome With Love' movie soundtrack. But with this latest LP'Isle Of Magic', Mop Mop digs even deeper to bring us one of their most engaging and organic records yet.

Gaetano Partipilo - Besides (2013)

- JazzFm [Album of the week]

With this new project, just published by Schema Records, Gaetano showcases the other side of his artistic personality. It is dedicated to the music of the '60s rearranged in a modern way. The result is a warm music, refined and full of pathos.

The album opens with "Beyond the days" written by Gaetano and Alice Ricciardi. It’s a song in ¾ based on a  dreamy athmosphere. Following a Herbie Mann’s hit made famous by the great Mel Tormè: the song is "Right Now" and is sung by Mr. Natural. “Atras da porta” is hand signed by Chico Buarque and is a poignant bossa nova masterfully interpreted by Rosalia De Souza. 

Andrea Balducci - Bloom (2012)

Being born an acquainted singer hailing from the classic swing tradition, Balducci's timbre resembles crooners such as Frank Sinatra or the newer generations, Micheal Bublé and Jamie Cullum.

This debut album represents a great artistic challenge, an example of Schema’s research and production work.

The reaserch has identified  a selection of songs capable to enhance the best qualities of his voice and involve him emotionally; a rich ensemble of tracks studied across several musical genres with the aim of showing off the interpretation.

The Jazz Convention - Sound Briefing (2012)

The long-awaited return of The Jazz Convention – a group we first grew to love for a late 90s release on Schema Records – finally back here with a set that's an equally great cooker! As before, there's a strong 60s vibe to the music – heavy soul jazz and modal elements – in a blend that's somewhere between vintage Blue Note, and some of the more grooving music of the European scene. The front hornline is wonderful – Fabrizio Bosso on trumpet and Gaetano Partipilo on alto – working with spectacular rhythms from the trio of Claudio Filippini on piano, Giuseppe Bassi on bass, and Fabio Accardi on drums. Bosso's trumpet is especially great – as soulful and sparkling as ever – and titles include "Yes I Can No You Can't", "Hozic", "Silly Toy", "In Volo", "Endless Dream", and "Silversonic".  

© 1996-2012, Dusty Groove, Inc.

Tucci and Mannutza - Lunar (2012)

Pretty great work from the team of Lorenzo Tucci and Luca Mannutza – two artists we normally associate with much straighter jazz material, but who really take off here together! The format is still definitely jazz, but the energy is quite free a times – just drums and effects from Tucci, and shifting piano, Fender Rhodes, and Hammond from Luca Mannutza – played in these really flowing lines that sparkle amidst Lorenzo's energy on the drums – all in ways that are inside enough to swing, but in ways that really go beyond conventional jazz! The format is a wonderful development for both players – and really helps us appreciate their rich talents even more than before – hardly a trick or gimmick, and instead a compelling collaboration that almost makes us feel like ECM has collided with Schema Records. Titles include "Jet Lag", "Jungle & Space", "Lunar", "Moon Boots", "The Voyager", "Avaria", and "Inception".

- Dusty Groove 

Gerardo Frisina - Moderno Primitivo ep (2012)

Gerardo Frisina goes back to the roots of the sound which has made him famous worldwide: the latin sound of classics like “Descarga” or “The Latin Kick” (both previously released on Schema).

“Moderno Primitivo” is an EP about the encounter of the ancient Afro-cuban tradition (the core of Frisina’s artistic DNA) with a refined electronic taste. This component enriches drums and percussions and gives more edge to the whole production with details like pads and effects.

In “Moderno Primitivo” the latin ensemble headed by Frisina takes us into a jam session where percussions, piano and trombone play happily.

The “Latin House Mix” is a club version where the rhythmic element and the groove take control of the mix. The melody is broken and a Hammond plays over a ostinato bass. The flavour is definetely tribal.

“Cogele El Ritmo” is a trip into Frisina’s latin world. Slower than “Moderno Primitivo”, still has a solid hook to the dancefloor and is a triumph of joy and colour.

OUT NOW ON SCHEMA 

Enrico Rava Quintet - Tribe (2011)

Since his return to ECM with Easy Living in 2003, the grand master of Italian jazz has gone from strength to strength, in a series of truly exceptional recordings including Tati, The Words and The Days, The Third Man, and New York Days. Enrico Rava is currently playing at a peak of lyrical invention, and his newest Italian quintet is amongst his strongest ensembles. Gianluca Petrella, Rising Star Trombonist in the Down Beat Critics Poll of 2005, is retained from The Words and the Days line-up and he has a front-chemistry with Rava which burns in this project. Fast-moving, quick-witted exchanges abound. Enrico has always encouraged younger musicians, and pianist Giovanni Guidi (born 1985) is a real find, a player of creativity and imagination: "When I notice the gifts of a young musician, I immediately involve him in my groups. This is not motivated by altruism," Rava insists. "Giovanni Guidi is like Bollani and Petrella: he astounds me every time." Bassist Gabriele Evangelista (b. 1988), another young player of promise, works splendidly alongside widely-experienced drummer Fabrizio Sferra, whose resume includes work with Chet Baker, Paul Bley and Kenny Wheeler. Material on Tribe includes new and old tunes by Rava and a brace of collective improvisations. The album was recorded at Arte Suono Studio in Udine in October 2010, with Manfred Eicher producing.

Mario Biondi & The Unexpected Glimpses - Due (2011)

Mario Biondi on a hunt for new talent introduces the "talent album: a unique project from the beloved artist who gives space in his new album for other artists, most of them just emerging. "Due" is a double cd of 20 songs (13 of them unreleased until now) featuring collaborations between the catanese crooner and twenty artists of the finest new jazz and talent from Italy and the world.
Artists include Vahimiti, Denise Williams, Luca Florian, Samantha Iorio, Jeff Cascaro, Walter Ricci, Andrea Bertorelli, Sagi Rei, Fabrizio Casalino, Chiara Civello, Hana Boel etc.

One of Biondi's best ever efforts and another candidate for Album of the Year for Twisted Jazz.

Buon Compleanno Irma!

An incredible success story, Irma records was born 23 years ago in Bologna, Italy, right at the "zenith" point of the indie labels revolution in the 80s and just a few years before the multinationals enter the "alternative" zone and swallow everything. Well, not quite everything! Irma records continue to this very day long after the Jestofunk years (the most succesful band on their roster). An eclectic mix of house, acid jazz, funk, bossa nova, lounge and millenium exotica (plus many more hybrids) have sweetened our ears through these years and hope to continue doing so for the years to come.
IRMA BDay is a free download compilation available from the XL supplement of La Repubblica newspaper.

You can download it right here....

The Dining Rooms - Lonesome Traveller (2011)

Three years after “Ink”, The Dining Rooms release their sixth studio album "Lonesome Traveller".

“Cinematic music” and “songwriting” (also developed in the Sem’bro Project released by Summer Dawn in 2010) are the main features of the Milanese duo work.

The meeting with the London based singer Jake Reid, and his undeniable vocal characteristics, played an important role in the writing and production of this album. Almost marked by fate, the meeting with Jake was fortuitous and immediately deep. Stefano and Cesare were looking for singers for their new album, when Stefano received an e-mail from Jake congratulating him for their previous productions and asking for any features in the near future.
Stefano listened to the tracks performed by Jake and decided to play them to Cesare; an immediate feeling has dawned shortly between Jake’s soulful and vibrant voice and The Dining Rooms musical atmospheres.
Jake ‘s approach to the album has been very enthusiastic and dynamic, he performed songs already written and wrote new ones inspired by the new collaboration. The result is an unusual album for the Dining Rooms style: for the first time there is a prevailing voice that defines the project stylistically.
"Lonesome Traveller" is an elaborate record, it is especiallythe crossing of the traditional song format by means of complex melodic textures and a minimalist approach to the vocals, which is interwined with the instrumental parts in a kind of a psycho-jazz, soul mantra.
The whole is rhythmic and expansive, harmony and nocturnal melancholy, abstraction and melody, an hypothetical meeting point among the vocal albums of Brian Eno, “Another Green World”, and his more ambient productions, “Music for airports” and “Music for films”.
"Lonesome Traveller" is also a concept album about the journey, inspired by a series of writings by Jack Kerouac ("Lonesome Traveller", released in 1960).
The song titles and the development of the tracklist are designed like chapters of a book or scenes from a movie, a sort of emotional narrative that becomes the underlying theme of the album and blends, seamlessly, literary, musical and cinematic references, from Don DeLillo (“Running Dog”) to Woody Allen (“Interiors”); from Can (“Fading Gradually) to half-breed jazz (Io cammino ma….) passing through Erik Satie meeting Aphex Twin and Boards Of Canada ("We are the music makers," "We are the Dreamers," "Hotel rooms").
The traveller is lead by "existential" questionings and embarks on a journey that is primarily research based, with self-discovery as the central focus.
The journey, an unexplored horizon, becomes a metaphor for life: the conquest of man’s own internal world evoked in this album by the dialectic between voice and instruments. This highlights the gap between stability and instability, speed and slowness and between established values and absolute freedom.
It is the driving force of human will, to look ahead to the future and the unknown as a new challenge. The journey therefore contains a substantial polarity between loyalty to man’s own roots and the challenge of research, between the promise of the conquest and the risk of loss, between the hope of return and surrender to the unknown.
The significance of the journey is key to this album’s structure and merit……

OUT ON OCTOBER 10 / SCHEMA RECORDS