bassolino: popoli del mare
Francisco Espregueira
Jakarta Records presents Popoli del Mar, the new two-track release from Naples-based pianist, producer, and composer Dario Bassolino. Known for his eclectic, genre-defying musical ability, Bassolino's latest offering is a journey that lives where the sea meets the sky, drawing a straight line between Naples, Tunis, and Beirut. This concept, Popoli del Mare, or "peoples of the sea," is musically realized through an incessant rhythm where the Afro contaminations of Charif Megarbane intertwine with Bassolino's dreamy Italian harmonies. Bassolino’s extensive experience, which includes producing and playing alongside a diverse array of artists from alt-R&B vocalist LNDFK to jazz-funk legend Nicola Conte and collaborating with the likes of Nu Genea and Pink Siifu, comes alive effortlessly.
The release’s centerpiece, "Baid Alik," is a song of love and hope, with a sound purely inspired by the research of Habibi Funk. It evokes the memory of an ancestral past shared between Bassolino and Tunisian singer Marzouk Mejri, whose voice, a perfect mix of proto-rap and melodic tones, blends seamlessly with the disco-cinematic instrumental. Bassolino’s music is informed by Brazilian funk greats like Hermeto Pascoal and Italian counterparts such as Franco Califano and Lucio Battisti, and his live shows, with its organic jazz, funk, and disco improvisation, has captivated audiences at prestigious international festivals like Primavera Sound and Montreux Jazz. Popoli del Mar showcases his ability to create a thin but tangible line that unites the Mediterranean poles, proving that his sonic world is both deeply personal and universally resonant. Available on 7’’ vinyl.