Press release in Italiano
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JOE SLOMP – New Move (River Nile/Ala Bianca)
The new album
New Move is going to surprise many – though probably not those who are already familiar with Joe’s work. Nu soul, urban jazz, classic standards, small club drums-less combo, a touch of big band swing, smooth vocals, even two duets: all of these elements make up the 55 minutes and 13 tracks of New Move. The journey starts from the revisitation of Style Council’s Lodgers, jumping into a cutting version of Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Scar Tissue, the mood then switches to Bill LaBounty’s hidden gem In 25 Words Or Less, colored with a 5-piece horn section swinging in big band mode. Only two instruments back up Joe’s voice on The Very Thought of You, with the percussion to keep the pulse going provided by Dario Deidda’s slapping on the upright bass strings. Bruce Hornsby’s The Way It Is gets rendered in a fast-paced jazz arrangement powered by Deidda’s bass with an impressive piano solo by Pino Iodice. Stefano Micarelli produced a Barrio Jazz Gang-style samples-laden Naima, then another sudden though fitting change of mood with Beatles’ Eleanor Rigby, again with only guitar and bass to drive the groove. What’s Going On, rendered here as a ballad, brings to the listener aspects of this song not yet explored, guided by Joe’s voice, Micarelli’s guitar solo and Pietro Iodice’s superb brushes work. Rock’n'roll, jazz and blues are next, all embedded in Night Train, hommage to Eddie Jefferson’s interpretation. Coldplay’s Yellow gets revisited in jazz waltz style, and Baby It’s Cold Outside we discover the second duet with Pauline London. A classic jazz standard like My One And Only Love, and Joe Jackson’s Steppin’Out afro rhythm and multi-layered vocals close the album.
Biography
A live performer brought up in Rome’s jazz club scene, Joe – who lived between Italy, Paris, Cambridge and Copenhagen – embraces music from A to Z, as can be heard from his 3 CDs production, and deduced from his portfolio of lead and backup vocals, guitar and keyboards contributions to numerous bands and solo artists (including Mimmo Locasciulli, Alta Tensione, Capital Soul). Before recording his solo albums, he cut some tracks for jazz piano maestro Nino De Rose’s recordings, on TV with Sarah Jane Morris and contributed with 10th avenue freeze-out to Italian Bruce Springsteen tribute cd “For You”. Ranging from jazz to soul to rock to R&B, adapting his voice to suit the needs of the songs he sings, brings his own blend of musical flavours to the table.
Selected discography:
VVAA – For You, A tribute to Bruce Springsteen (Totem/Sony Music, 1995) – Joe performs 10th Avenue Freeze-out
Joe Slomp – introducing joe slomp (RamiLaiDad, 2000)
Joe Slomp – New Move (River Nile/Ala Bianca, 2009)
On Joe’s debut cd (2000)
“Joe makes eleven pearls shine” – (Rockstar)
“The beauty of this album it’s in the personal touch that Joe gives to each song” – (Time Out Roma)