Search - Battista Lena :: I Cosmonauti Russi

Fellini on acid

Igor Kordey | Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada | 12/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yes, if you imagine good ol' Nino Rotta getting high... what him and Lena have in common, is experience in writing and performing soundtrack music and jazz, and incorporating elements of traditional Italian music in their works.

When I say "Fellini", I'm talkin' not just about his movie-directing part, but complete unique "Fellini mood" you experience watching his movies, where music plays extremely important part. Those who watched "Amarcord' or "Casanova" will know what is all about. There you go...

This is a "soundtrack" music for imaginary movie about 3 Russian cosmonauts surviving their own trip in a cold void, aiming toward the stars. How's the movie, it's up to your imagination.

I like what happens with European jazz these years - no boundaries, no limits in explorations, no taboos. It is quirky, exciting, humorous, and always superbly played. French label "Label bleu" is excellent example for my statement. If you never bought their records, you may try first their amazing compilation "Blue tribes", which came out last year (that's how I got hooked). You'll find lots of young musicians, and lots of those who are still young at heart and mind, with fresh ideas, widening your musical horizonts, in a field some still call Jazz. I collect music and dislike compilations and "live" records, but this one is totally mind -blowing, comparable only to "Talking inside the beat" ("Talking loud'"label- 2000.) and "Resist new groove"("Resist" label - 1997.), both compilations containing new directions in contemporary... hm, OK. , let's call it "Jazz" to make it easier . Again, that's what I like in modern music -merging, melting with rock, electronic, hip-hop, ethno or classic, always escaping firm definitions and drawers. Just a music...

And, I'd like to use opportunity to give "Label blue" 5 stars for consistently superb and fresh graphic design on their editions. "I cosmonauti Russi" is no exception - package looks really beautiful, with the wink to Russian soc- realism and constructivists art, with one nice touch - it contains 2 discs; music is the same, but one disc has Italian language singing, and the other French. I shared the record - kept Italian version for myself and gave the French one to my beloved. I'm not complainig about the lack of english version - you can not sing "Funiculi funicula" on English, it looses it's cool.

WARNING!

Same as most of "Label bleu" music, "I cosmonauti russi' is for open-minded only!

The others might survive severe damages on their hardened ears, and catch themselves endlesly repeating "What the heck...?!"

IGOR

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