Slivovitz

The associates of Naples, Italy-based jazz-rock ensemble Slivovitz (named after a Central and Eastern Euro plum brandy) can cite the precise date from the group’s formation: Sept 27, 2001, when, according to an internet interview with saxophonist Pietro Santangelo, Slivovitz came together after a spontaneous street jam. The group mixes jazz and rock and roll with a number of various other designs, notably Balkan and Gypsy affects, which Slivovitz started discovering after a 2003 visit to Hungary. The music group’s eponymous debut record was documented in 2004 and released by an Italian imprint; Slivovitz eventually signed with the brand new York-based MoonJune label, which released Hubris (generally fresh compositions but also including three remastered songs from your debut) in ’09 2009. Hubris presented a seven-piece lineup (with many guests) — bassist Domenico Angarano, drummer Stefano Costanzo, guitarist Marcello Giannini, vocalist Ludovica Manzo, harmonica participant Derek di Perri, saxophonist Santangelo, and violinist Riccardo Villari — allowing the group to activate in occasionally startling stylistic shifts from jazz-rock to Balkan, Afro-beat, funk, Latin jazz, as well as tinges of Canterbury. Manzo’s interesting vocals accentuated the group’s occasionally breezy Mediterranean taste, and upon her departure Slivovitz required a far more concise and high-energy rock-informed strategy with 2011’s Bani Forward, their second MoonJune outing. Bani Forward also presented two new users: drummer Salvatore Rainone changing Costanzo; and trumpeter Ciro Riccardi, whose existence (along with Giannini’s harder-edged acoustic guitar and a larger concentrate in the band’s general songwriting and organizing) gave Slivovitz a punchier, brassier taste and in addition brought interludes recommending the cinematic impact of Tag Isham.