As 2020 is coming to an end, music reviews for the year’s best music are swirling everywhere. It has actually been a decent year for music discovery and I consider “Dance cette zik” by the a newly-formed trio Parbleu as the most praiseworthy breakthrough. The mix of Afro-Beat, Caribbean sounds, French Lyrics and Neapolitan Disco boogie works like a charm in the album, and particularly in “Pas De Saints Au Paradis”. I still marvel at the beauty of the instrumental solo around 4.00 after hearing this song many many times đź’›
This album is also a fine example of the incredible music creativity bursting in Naples over the last years. It was recorded in West Hill Studio and released on Periodica Records, both created and managed by the Mystic Jungle crew, which I’ve introduced here.
Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/Parbleu-Danse-Cette-Zik/release/15971465
The Mystic Jungle Tribe – Landing To Solaria – 2015
Early Sounds Recordings is the label at the forefront of the “Napoli Sound”, one of the best contemporary music export from Italy. A prime example is the “Solaria” LP, a collaborative effort of several artists involved in the label from the beginning: Nu Guinea, The Normalmen and Mystic Jungle.
This record was released 3 years after the creation of the label and it definitely set a new artistic direction towards a groovier and more exotic sound, highly rooted into the rich musical past of the region. Although they definitely made quality House and Techno before, they have broadened their horizons and created many special gems since. They certainly seemed to enjoy experimenting with synths in “Landing In Solaria”, the opening track where they introduce the mysterious universe of the Solaria planet.
Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/The-Mystic-Jungle-Tribe-Solaria/master/839653
Jams & Gems 