Love & Revolution is a reflection in music on the values of our society: values to recuperate, values that have continued to be a beacon for many generations, values sung by youths in the late 1960s. And it is precisely this cultural atmosphere that Conte refers to, both in his choice of repertoire and in the splendid arrangements by Magnum Lindgren, and (perhaps above all) in the lyrics, all written by Conte himself (with the exception of two).
Love & Revolution is in fact an album in which the human voice is protagonist, though perfectly blending with a “sound carpet” of extraordinary effectiveness. And the character of group creation is unquestionably one of the most evident and enthralling aspects of this album. Here Nicola has decided for the most direct, most effective (let’s admit it: most jazz) way to obtain the set goals: he invited musicians into the studio and recorded live, setting aside few additions during post-production. The result is extraordinary, the interplay between musicians is perfect, and the many excellent solos never slip into the fetters of protagonism.
The political character (in a broad sense) of the lyrics, reference to a historical period and a style—profoundly Afro-American—which in those years was a veritable soundtrack of awareness and involvement, and having entrusted the message to a noteworthy cosmopolitan group of musicians that with such a style find their own koine, their own shared language: this is the essence of Love & Revolution, whose 2 CD deluxe version—in its even more generous offering—is perhaps the most accurate portrayal of its creator’s intentions.
Love & Revolution makes use of the talents of singers José James, Nailah Porter, Melanie Charles, Gregory Porter (U.S.A.), Veronica Harcsa (Hungary), Alice Ricciardi (Italy), and Bridgette Amofah (U.K.); trumpet players Till Brönner (Germany), Nicolas Folmer (France), Fabrizio Bosso and Flavio Boltro (Italy); trombonist Peter Fredriksson (Sweden), sax player and flautist Magnum Lindgren (as well as arranger, Sweden), Gaetano Partipilo (Italy), Timo Lassy (Finland), Logan Richardson and Tim Warfield (U.S.A.); pianist Pietro Lussu, bassist Paolo Benedettini (Italy); drummer Teppo Makinen (Finland); vibes player Michael Pinto (U.S.A.); drummer Pierpaolo Bisogno, and the programming of Andrea Santoro (Italy), as well as the leader’s contribution at the guitar.
Upcoming Dates for Nicola Conte Jazz Combo in Europe are:
03.05.2012 Gronauer Jazzfest, Gronau