If you are not familiar with Manuel Volpe & Rhabdomantic Orchestra and their deeply moving jazz sound, then now is the perfect time to become familiar.
“Albore” is a record about an initiation, a spiritual journey that drives the listener into a hypnotic and evocative world made of Yoruba polyrhythms, Middle Eastern impressions, spiritual Jazz drifts, Ethiopian groove vibes and Afrobeat-like brass sections. It is a mix of different sonic landscapes where the instruments of Volpe’s Orchestra weave a texture of voices into a sort of magical realism. These 10 compositions pay tribute to John Lurie’s late work, the spiritual Jazz of Pharoah Sanders and the ethnomusical studies of Lloyd Miller.
My personal favourites are “Atlante”,“Basrah”, “Betel”, “Rhabdomancy” and the title track, although this is an album you will not want to skip through. Every track adds another layer of intrigue and is worthy of repeat listens. Overall, the album in whole is a gem.
Don’t miss this one.
8/10
