Urban Sessions
Sunlightsquare
Steve Gadd and Will Lee drive Claudio's urban dancefloor jazz.
The first Sunlightsquare album carries SUNCD001, the label's first catalogue number. Claudio Passavanti called the sound "urban dancefloor jazz": acoustic grooves cut up and rebuilt with pianos, Rhodes, synths and theremin. Steve Gadd and Will Lee laid down drums and bass at Avatar Studios in New York, recorded by Bernie Kirsh, with further sessions in Rome, Riolo Terme and London. Sharlene Hector, Joy Malcolm, Z-Star and Barbara Eramo sing. Claudio produced and arranged it and mixed it with Loris Ceroni. Modern Drummer gave it 9/10 and Drummer Magazine made it CD of the Month. Discomania released it in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and Water Music licensed a North American edition, Midnight In Manhattan, with two extra tracks.
- Modern Drummer: 9/10
- Drummer Magazine: CD of the Month, 5/5
- Starecho.de CD der Woche (Germany)
- North American edition on Water Music: Midnight In Manhattan
Personnel
- Claudio Passavantipianos, Rhodes, theremin, keyboards, programming; producer, arranger, co-mix
- Steve Gadddrums
- Will Leebass
- Sharlene Hectorvocals
- Joy Malcolmvocals
- Z-Starvocals
- Barbara Eramovocals (Nu Bossa)
- Flexievocals (Ab Three)
- M.C. Visionvocals (Bust A Freakin Goal)
- Roberto Gallinellibass, synth bass (Dub O Matic, Ab Three)
- Cristiano Micalizzidrums (Ab Three)
- Massimo Cusatopercussion
- Fabiano Lelliguitar (Mr Reeves Remix)
- Mauro Borriniguitar (Bust A Freakin Goal)
- Davide Mantovanidouble bass (Wicked)
- Dave Templesaxophone (Wicked)
- Bernie Kirshrecording engineer, Avatar Studios
- Loris Ceronico-mix, Le Dune
- Toni Soddusupervision
- Toshihide Gotohphotography
| 1 | From The Cosmos | 5:48 |
| 2 | Nu Bossa | 4:31 |
| 3 | Summer Night | 4:58 |
| 4 | Never Felt So Good | 3:53 |
| 5 | Dub O Matic | 4:07 |
| 6 | Mr Reeves Remix | 5:14 |
| 7 | Bust A Freakin Goal | 6:52 |
| 8 | Ab Three | 4:29 |
| 9 | Wicked | 3:35 |
| 10 | Lively Kind Frozen Poem | 2:21 |
Witness the future of synthetic rhythm being built upon by the best acoustic qualities of the past.
Urban Sessions throbs with an organic ambience all it's own, making this an interesting listen with Gadd laying it down in fine style.
This recording defines jazztronica. It’s a perfect hybrid of jazz acoustica and electronica. If I did a spotlight record of the month feature, this would be it.
Die größte Überraschung daran: Ihr erstes Album, "Urban Sessions", ist erfrischend gut.
Die schönsten Summer Grooves kommen eindeutig aus dem Londoner East End
Review im Mai. Höchste Wertung: Ausgezeichnet!
Review, vier von sechs Punkten. Im Juni eine zweite mit fünf Punkten.
- ▸ 02 Sunlightsquare - Nu Bossa [Sunlightsquare Records] 3,100 views
- ▸ 03 Sunlightsquare - Summer Night [Sunlightsquare Records] 2,100 views