Neroli Italy Schallplatten & CDs

Review: This latest edition to the Neroli catalogue sees the arrival of a new album project from long time hero, Kirk Degiorgio. Imbued with folkloric sensibilities, Robe Of Dreams is an example of the sheer transportative abilities of electronic jazz fusion, melding sounds that are almost rooted but not quite of this world. The first track, 'The Ancient City', follows a cresting wave of shimmering synths - a portal into Degiorgio's hypnagogic soundworld. 'I Saw Pharaoh Levitate' features a melody that dances, skipping with the lightest touch across a field of glittering cymbal percussion. 'Sinai' explores the roughened textures of warped electric guitar riffs, woven to create atmospheres of marbled spaciousness and density. 'Robe Of Dreams', however, is the title track for a reason - expanding and contracting piano melodies melt effortlessly into dreamy electronic atmospheres, rising and falling and veering into moments of unsettling minor keys with extraordinary precision. A masterful and spiritual project from the extraordinary musician.

Review: Second chapter of the 'Inside' series of various artists eps selected by Neroli's very own Volcov. This time with a more eclectic approach than the previous volume, exploring more electronic landscapes with Domu's downtempo ambience song aptly titled 'Point Of Entry' and Jamal Moss's unmistakable sound on his opus 'Black Hands Sound 63' on the first side. On the flipside Mother Tongue's own Patrick Gibin returns with another bouncing collaboration with Kaidi Tatham entitled 'Don't Read' and new upcoming wonder producer EDB serves 'You Bring Me Joy' with the help of Alberto Lincetto on keys and NTS resident Marshmello on vocals!

Review: Volcov steers the good ship Neroli towards more of that immaculately curated deep gear you know they do so well. The Inside series reaches part three with another heavyweight cast, leading in with the mighty Fred P on the crisp rhythms and considered chord movements of 'Time Well Spent'. Rest Symbol follows up with a powerful strain of synth orchestration which adds a moody intensity to the record, while Resonating creates a raw, seductive beatdown on 'J707' that will satisfy any discerning outboard house fiend. Patrice Scott then seals the deal with a submerged 'Beat Version' of an untitled track that course through snaking rhythms at a slower tempo perfect for some backroom scene setting or creative warm-up blending.

Review: Whether operating within house or techno, Motor City producer Patrice Scott's productions are always shot through with the warmth of machine soul. "Chasing Dreams", the lead cut from the producer's first outing on Italian imprint Neroli, is a perfect example. Dancefloor chops are provided by a rolling drum machine rhythm, while life-affirming positivity comes via Scott's canny use of spacey chord sequences and fluid, Larry Heard style piano motifs. It's a simply sumptuous track. It comes accompanied on side B by the deeper and woozier "Remember When?", where gentle pianos cluster around a bubbly electronic bassline and brilliantly stereo panned percussion, and the lingering synth solos and spacey electronics of hip-hop tempo slow jam "New Day".