ma spaventi: isola sommersa

Amsterdam based Italian Marco Antonio Spaventi is back with Isola Sommersa, a fine full length statement. Landing on M>O>S Recordings, it follows up after many great EPs from the label. Using hardware tools like a natural extension of his body, he cooks up rugged grooves, nostalgic moods and smoky atmospheres that cocoon the listener in a sound of its own. As well as releasing on other labels like Slow Motion, Secretsundaze, Pizzico Records and Cos_Mos, he is also an acclaimed production wizard and runs his own professional studio. Spaventi dips his toes into various waters with equal success. There are spaced out and invitingly warm grooves such as the rubbery "Tape Noodles", blissful ambient interludes like "Undisclosed" and serene synth passages filled with retro future beauty such as the closer "Titanic Moments". Cuts like "Simple Mind" prove Spaventi can conjure up genuine feelings of internal reflection as well as raw physical drum lines and "Best Regards" is a tantalizingly slow bit of cosmic house that erupts into a fluid acid track. Though Chicago and Detroit are obvious reference points, Spaventi always develops his own ideas with a refreshing vibe. Spaventi has a passion for old school house but always brings it up to date. Isola Sommersa is an album that is house at its heart, but also one that is ambitious, absorbing and widescreen in the way it is executed.