Sunlight is the second
album by Drift Lab, a jazz rock project based in Rome and led by
Manuele Montesanti. It was self-released in 2026 with a completely
renewed line-up featuring, along with founder member, composer and
leader Manuele Montesanti (piano, synths), the new members Marco
Pistone (bass), Guido Della Gatta (guitars) and Roberto Porta (drums)
plus the guest Carlo Maria Micheli (sax). According to the official
website, this is music "written with rigour
but performed with freedom, where improvisation finds its home within
intricate harmonic architectures". Drift
Lab is
an open, constantly evolving
project, aiming
to shape a sound that
blends "jazz
roots and contemporary imagery, instrumental virtuosity and
electronic curiosity, composition and experimentation".
The art cover tries to give a visual form to the musical content...
The
following "Yellow Fire" is a piece with a jagged rhythm but
full of warmth and melodic flares that leads to "Bump" a
jazz rock track full of nocturnal and disquieting atmospheres with
excellent interweaving of guitar and keyboard that share the solo
parts, supported by a never banal rhythm section...
"A-M-M-I-M"
somehow revisits and reinterprets a piece from the previous album
("M-I-M-M-A"). It's a relaxed track that at times invites
you to dance the night away while "Serendip" is a slow,
sensual piece featuring guest saxophonist Carlo Maria Micheli and a
certain oriental exoticism. The title refers to the ancient name of
the island of Ceylon...
"Chaste
Countrywoman" starts with the bass in the foreground that traces
a funky rhythm, then the electric guitar outlines melodic paths that
take the song in other directions... Next comes "Bleep" is
a complex and fast piece where all the musicians showcase great
technical skills and a notable interaction.
"bYpOLAR"
begins with an old video-game atmosphere and continues with
irrepressible freshness, alternating more relaxed moments with others
where the pace becomes pressing and lively. Ten, the dreamy
"Evolving" concludes the album. A beautiful official video
was shot for this piece, completing the sonic universe the band has
evoked with images of a disturbingly beautiful dystopian future...
On
the whole, an excellent fusion work!
You
can listen to the complete album HERE
More
info:
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