Many times I have promised myself to make a DJ set dedicated to the music that accompanies me while relaxing, having dinner with my wife and friends or simply while having a drink at home, and now also during my leisure time with my daughter. Finally, I resisted to the temptation of a “classic” techno-house dj set and here I am.
In the 70s, some Afroamerican jazz musicians, following the orthodox and pure music path up to that moment, decided to open themselves, a bit for pleasure and a bit for need, towards new sounds already embraced by their community: Soul and Funk. A new style got born, a style that was able to mix the intellectual pulse of Jazz with the street rhythm of Funk and the intimate spirituality of Soul. Rhythm always on the front side with keyboards, guitars and wind instruments signing adventurous paths. Complex and, at the same time, damn simple music! Instinct for intellectuals. The opposite sides attracting one another. As James Blood Ulmer says “Jazz is the Teacher, Funk is the Preacher”. This is It.
Ps. The cover is a game. I used the one of the historical Throbbing Gristle’s album as the title was simply perfect for my purposes: had to add one more number as the pieces I have chosen are 21 and substitute the faces of the band members with some of the godfathers of the Jazz Funk: Donald Byrd, Herbie Hancock, Roy Ayers e James Senese, great saxophonist and an absolute idol for us Italians.
