It was 2002 and the first CD of the barrio jazz gang was released, a group that was a precursor of the nujazz sound with electronic inserts. They immediately became an Italian reality with a strong Northern European connotation close to German or French groups, but with that extra Mediterranean something in the melodies and arrangements.
Two were the songs that aroused the most interest and clamor: “Linda cançao” and “Chok-a-blok avenue”. The first has so to speak become a must in the nujazz genre with a smooth flavor and has entered many dancefloor playlists delicately chill-out, lounge. The second with its highly sought-after sounds and rhythms is a floorfiller of the most refined clubs and attentive to modern sound and crossover between electronic music spiced with Afro-jazz and South American tones.
2 is the new work, an emblematic number synonymous with couple, duality, equality, comparison or yin and yang, opposite poles, parallel lines, stereophonic sound, binary rhythms and so on.
But the most appropriate aspect and/or meaning is the idea of continuity that the compositions have in reference to the sound created in the first work “Spectrum”, an album that has unanimously received great international success with countless feedbacks, reviews and playlists still on the web after many years. The second chapter of a work/thought born from the union of 2 minds, that of Roby Colella producer, composer and founder of Funky Juice rec. and Steve Micarelli producer, composer and very original guitarist. The space where the tracks come to life is always characterized first and foremost by the vital and magmatic beat that in a crescendo of tension and release allows us to glimpse (intra-hear) changes and metamorphoses of sounds and rhythms. In addition to the strong rhythmic characterization, the group creates its own very original sound with compelling melodies, carpets and riffs of wind instruments and ethnic instruments such as the sitar, tablas and tampoura. Many of the tracks benefit from the presence of Pauline London, another very valid artist from the Funky Juice rec. stable, who also wrote all the lyrics. They range from the sunny tones of ‘Entre o ceo e o mar’, a tribute to the suggestive atmospheres of Brazilian beaches to the more profound and “social” inspired ‘Safe under the sun’, inspired by an ideal of universal brotherhood. ‘Free as the wind’ is a proud claim of autonomy and independence of feelings and ideals. In ‘Amor para Sonhar’ there is still a passionate tribute to Brazil and its colors, to its “voices” that inspire song and love. The lyrics are half in English and half in Brazilian Portuguese, revealing an effective mix between the internationality and immediacy of the first language and the Latin and “exotic” character of the second.
Jumpclub is the most representative track, centered in the group’s own sound and decidedly dance-floor oriented. It is so to speak the second episode that follows the success of “Chok-a-blok avenue” starting from the same cornerstones it evolves into a vortex of multi-thematicity and polyrhythm creating a truly new way of understanding jazz, danceable and at the same time hypnotic.
Kobrasmile
The tampoura and tabla act as a counterpoint to the progress of the baritone sax creating the indo-rhythm’n blues fusion that characterizes the entire song.
Five apple-maples
Song inspired by the splendid composition by Paul Desmond: Take-five”, an attempt to revive the glories in a third millennium key. The cool veins marry well with the rhythmic electro-loops in 5/4.
Take yr freedom back
The latin-funky beat is the background to Pauline London’s voice used in an instrumental way, vocalizing the soft and enveloping melodies. The wind section masterfully interprets the remaining thematic parts, leaving two solo passages for the wise guitar of Stefano Micarelli and the exuberant sax of Carlo Micheli.
Spanish Market
We are in southern Spain where the Arabic influences are more evident, here the BJG bring their trumpets, guitars and samples. The Morricone-guitar theme alternates with the interventions of the trumpet master Eddie Henderson.
Entre o céu e o mar
Here is a dance-song with a strong radiophonic vocation without giving up harmonic and instrumental preciousness. Pauline’s delicate voice leads the game from a privileged point of view, “between the sky and the sea”.
Amor para soñhar
This song draws on the tradition of bossa-nova, contaminating it with a retro-futuristic sound. The engaging chorus is one of those that you will find yourself singing for a long time, for example under a shower in the tropics.
One Mile to Mumbai
A journey through the Indo-Eastern neighborhoods of a global metropolis, this is the suggestion that comes from listening to this song. The sitar is the dominant instrument, the oriental sound is used to build a kaleidoscope of Western-style melodies.
Nude Look
A piece of intimate and psychedelic electro-jazz at the same time, the enveloping carpets marry the warm vocal sounds
and even with the flute everything seems to “blow”.
Free as the wind
A dreamy soft-funk that recalls certain Italian-American pop sounds from the 70s. The instrumental ensemble is quite classic, guitar, vibes, clavinet and the music is served.
Safe under the sun
Latin music galore for this track that abandons itself to a very singable refrain with the wind instruments and the voice in unison with references to the dreamy melodies of Morricone and Trovajoli.
Sunday show
Here is the mainstream nujazz, Elvin Jones-style cymbal, electronic 4-piece, embroidered synthesizers, instrumental interventions of substance like the one Eddie Henderson gives us with his trumpet that exudes history. The main theme entrusted to the guitar with George Benson-style inflections and to the voice that interprets a deliberately repetitive text.
Barrio Jazz Gang are: Roberto Colella (a.k.a Roby J.C.) – Computer programming, keys, sampler.
Stefano Micarelli – Computer programming, Electric guitar, Sitar, bongo.
Additional Musicians: Eddie Henderson on trumpet on tracks: Spanish Market and Sunday Show Carlo Micheli : Tenor Sax, Baritone, Flute Aldo Bassi : Trumpet Pauline London : voice What d.j.’s and trendsetters says: Robert Meyer (Minus 8) >> excellent album with a constant high quality! My favorites are: “Spanish Market” nice sense of humor “Safe under the Sun” good drive, positive atmosphere “Nude Look” great melodies, nice voice “Free as the Wind” excellent for radio play __________________________________________________________ “Jumpclub” is classic jazz-house fun.
“kobra smile” uses a great sample and takes the influence forward. Expanding the barrio sound.
DJ M.path.iq (debug-digital) __________________________________________________________ ‘Jumpclub’ – Stellar! Love it! I like the combination of a 4/4 house beat with the groove and solo’s layered overtop, ‘Kobra Smile’ – Very cool stuff ‘Nude Look’ – Being the sucker that I am for the flute, this is my fave track in the batch. Looooove the wordless vocals, very nice without overstaying their welcome. I absolutely adore the interplay between the flute and the guitar, it makes the song quite effervescent I think you have a very worthy follow-up to the debut BJG album – GREG VICKERS ( Afternoons In Stereo) __________________________________________________________ Really nice jazzy vibes, this is pretty cool.
Jean Yves Prieur (Kid Loco) ‘Nude Look’ is my favourite. I will play it in my downbeat sets.
Henri Kohn (D.J.)
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