Cologne-based, multi-instrumentalist and creative jazz powerhouse Gianni Brezzo follows on the tail of LP “Tutto Passa,” with a special kind of excursion in “Soundscapes Vol. 1 – Music for Harlequins,” arriving via Berlin’s Jakarta Records March 10th.
Gianni Brezzo, the jazz affiliated band / studio project led by Cologne-based producer maestro Marvin Horsch, has a diverse musical profile that is reflected both in his genre-hopping as well as his creative output. Along with producing for Cologne bands like Keshavara, Woman and Xul Zolar, Gianni has released a number of EP and LP’s since 2017, including 2021’s “The Awakening” which featured vocal appearances from Berlin/Tel Aviv based singer / producer J.Lamotta and soul singer Otis Junior from Louisville, Kentucky. Gianni’s 2022 LP “Tutto Passa,” released on Jakarta Records, was a meditation around Marvin’s relationship to Italian culture, accompanied by research into Italian composers of the 60’s / 70’s such as Piero Umiliani, Stelvio Cipriani and Armando Trovajoli to more recent work by Sven Wunder. This was quickly followed up with EP “Amoria,” an extension of the themes grown from “Tutto Passa.” Gianni’s tracks have consistently placed on Editorial Lists including Spotify’s “State Of Jazz” (509k Likes) and “Café / Croissant” (200k Likes), and “lofi beats” (4.8M Likes) and most recently was synced in an episode of Gossip Girl for HBO US. Gianni’s latest excursion, “Soundscapes Vol. 1 – Music for Harlequins” is a special kind of release, one that ventures into worlds familiar, yet undeniably foreign and exciting. Gianni journeys through baroque pastures and medieval acoustics to bring forth an aural palette of colorful, timeless arrangements that fit comfortably in the sonic pocket. Featuring lush and nuanced instrumentation, all seamlessly melded together within Gianni’s groove-driven framework, the tracks on “Harlequins” present thematic moods that act as sonic windows into an enduring past. Jakarta is ecstatic to share such a project, with limited 300 vinyl initially pressed, arriving March 10th, 2023.
The projects 1st single, “L’arlecchino” is out January with the LP pre-order. The track is a perfect sonic voyage that encapsulates the continued growth of Gianni’s sound and gives a sonic peek into “Soundscapes”. Thematic and groovy, the song skirts a line along folkloric jazz with an almost hip-hop bounce, ebbing along like a horse-ride through baroque meadows while the bass keeps you trotting along.
2nd single, “Feeling Home,” is out February 15th and is a nostalgic splash of guitar-driven grooves that melds jazzy woodwinds, synths and more into a lush medieval palette that slides you into an aural pocket. The song moves in a joyous melancholy that subtly nods to folkloric themes and simpler times, but keeping an ear towards the sonic future. Focus track is the stupendous head-nodding grooves of “NoNoNo”. Building from previous LP “Tutto Passa,” Gianni provides a fresh, rare vibe, adding a slight dose of electronica to the jazz-driven progressions. Sitting in a danceable yet more calming ambient mood with saxophonist Simone Alessandrini’s light notes, the incredible lines lift you up high to keep you in a serene mood anytime, anywhere.. “Soundscapes Vol. 1 – Music for Harlequins” is a unique project soaked and marinated in a bucolic aesthetic that brings with it a pastoral and nostalgic feeling of simplicity. With sonic moods ranging from David Axelrod and Brian Bennett inspired arrangements to lush progressions with a swingin’ percussive edge. Besides online promotion from the label and artist profiles, the album will further be promoted by external agencies within the US, UK & Italy.