I
first came across Mr Biondi when he fronted one of my
favourite tracks of 2005 'This is what you are' with
the appropriately named Italian group Was-A-Bee! This
track alone has gone on to be featured on just about
every eclectic Nu Jazz album from St Germain through to ManRay
and Ursula 1000. What appears to be the original version
is also featured on this 'debut' set. Despite it's title
the album is NOT for Soul purists. It is moreover for those of
us that are prepared to look outside the box and
experiment with the fusion of the myriad of different
genres that make up the music style that we all
love.
The opening track Kenyatta's
' A child runs free' kicks off with a pulsating bossa
rythmn that is both authentic and yet modern and hip. Music by
Bill Withers sits alongside Henry Mancini and Al Kooper
held together by a smokey toned voice that eases cool. Think
of it vocally as a mixture of Lou Rawls meets Mark
Murphy with the added support of a powerhouse rthymn
section. The style whilst steeped in the American songbook brings
European creativity allowing the retro feel to become fused
with latin , vocal jazz and soul-blues. ' Never Die' is a
fine piece of tight rhythmic vocal jazz that provides
fascinating harmonies and melodic solos and will no doubt turn
up on similar compilation albums as the aforementioned '
This is what you are' . Other cuts worthy of mention are
the spiritual ' No trouble on the mountain' and
the samba inspired 'Rio De Janeiro Blue' Overall the album
which is selling VERY well in Italy at the moment will become
much sought after by those who wish to identify new styles
whilst listening to a unique vocalist that may just get
people to think about the meaning of soul!
