Calibro 35 – ‘Exploration’ album review: An infectious celebration of cinematic jazz-funk
THE SKINNY: Cinema and music have always gone hand-in-hand, from the old days of silent films and their orchestral accompaniments, to the funky scores of 1970s exploitation flicks. For the legendary Milanese outfit Calibro 35, that relationship between cinema and music has provided a consistent source of inspiration. Although the group have explored countless avenues of cinematic inspiration since their formation back in 2007, their latest album, Exploration, might just be their finest record to date.
One of the first things to note about Exploration is just how indebted the record is to the work of Italian composer Piero Umiliani, who recorded countless soundtrack albums and library LPs back in the 1960s and 1970s. It should go without saying that Calibro’s cinematic jazz-funk sensibilities are owed to their adoration of Umiliani’s work, but Exploration takes those influences one step further. The album was recorded in the late composer’s studio, using the same vintage equipment that brought those countless film scores to life all those years ago.
Inevitably, therefore, the tracklisting of Exploration is consistently imbued with an endlessly stylish retro sound which harks back to the golden age of library LPs and B-movie soundtracks. At the same time, however, Calibro 35’s innovative quality shines through on this record, creating a bizarre mix of sounds which can only be described with the oxymoronic tag of vintage futurism. The band’s reinterpretation of Umiliani’s classic track ‘Discomania’ is a prime example of this fact, retaining the retro groove of the original while driving its sound forward into bold new areas – something which is achieved over and over again as the album progresses.
Other highlights on the album include the band’s expansive reimagining of the late Roy Ayers’ anthem ‘Coffy Is The Color’, from the iconic 1973 Pam Ayers film, and their take on Azymuth’s ‘Jazz Carnival’. Calling these tracks ‘covers’ doesn’t seem to do them enough justice; they are completely new, genre-defying interpretations of the originals, which add entirely new layers of appeal, drawing upon everything from bossa nova to funk to improvisational jazz. What’s more, the band’s original material, such as the album opener, ‘Reptile Strut’, forms some of the most engaging and exciting moments on the album.
Exploration culminates in a feeling that Calibro 35 are operating in a time bubble, isolated from the outside world and trapped somewhere between the stylish surroundings of the past and the otherworldly sounds of the future. It would not be an egregious claim to suggest that they are the most skilful and innovative instrumental outfits on the face of the planet right now, and this new album certainly supports that claim.
For fans of: Obscure crime B-movies, vintage keyboards, and bankrupting yourself by collecting rare Italian library records.
A concluding comment from Ben’s housemate: “All I need now is a trenchcoat, a trilby, and a classic car, and I’m ready to live my lifelong dream of being a gritty yet stylish detective in a cult detective film from the 1970s.”
Exploration track by track:
Release Date: June 6th | Producer: Tommaso Colliva | Label: Record Kicks
‘Reptile Strut’: Distorted guitars, a commanding funk bassline, and all the trimmings of Calibro’s expansive musical world, the album’s opening track is masterful in its evocation of old-school 1970s funk and film scores. [4.5/5]
‘Discomania’: In homage to the great Piero Umiliani, the Italian outfit opt to cover one of his most infectious and groovy tracks, ‘Discomania’. Originally recorded under a pseudonym back in 1978, the song is an excellent encapsulation of his enigmatic approach to library music, and Calibro 35 imbue the track with their own dance euphoria, breathing new life into the iconic tune. [4.5/5]
‘Nautilus’: Kicking back the energy after those two storming openers, Calibro 35 opt for a much tense, suspenseful offering in ‘Nautilus’. A reinterpretation of Bob James’ 1974 smooth jazz recording, which became a mainstay in hip-hop sampling, the group expertly reaffirm their jazz credentials while also referencing their own history in hip-hop samples. [4/5]
‘Jazz Carnival’: The Calibro take on Azymuth’s 1979 classic, ‘Jazz Carnival’, forms an infectious highlight of this album, awash with their typically expansive sound infused with a compelling MPB rhythm. The perfect tune for summer and beyond. [4.5/5]
‘Gassman Blues’: One again showcasing the diversity of their talents, the mid-point of this record sees Calibro 35 take on one of Umiliani’s most ambitious efforts, originally recorded for the 1958 comedy I soliti ignoti with jazz legend Chet Baker. The group certainly live up to the high standards set by that original recording, giving the timeless classic a bold new appeal. [4.5/5]
‘Pied De Poule’: Another dark and suspenseful effort to break up the upbeat excitement of the tracklisting, ‘Pied De Poule’ sees the group make full use of their vintage recording equipment, creating something that could easily have been lifted from the soundtrack of a gritty 1970s gangster film. [3.5/5]
‘Chameleon’: A six-minute epic which rises in intensity as it progresses, ‘Chameleon’ provides the band with an apt opportunity to push boundaries and explore the limits of their core sound, culminating in an endearingly chaotic menagerie of sound towards the end of the song. [3.5/5]
‘Mission Impossible’: The latest instalment of Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible franchise only hit cinema screens in recent months, and yet Calibro 35 have arguably overshadowed that milestone with this faithful homage to the original Mission: Impossible theme, composed by Lalo Schifrin for the original television series back in the 1960s. [4/5]
‘The Twang’: A guitar-led masterpiece which evokes the band’s masterful blending of old and new influences, this track harks back to the buzzsaw guitar instruments of the 1960s, all the while incorporating innovative, modern influences. [4.5/5]
‘Coffy Is The Color’: An inventive reimagining of Roy Ayers’ iconic title song for the 1973 Pam Ayers film Coffy, the album’s penultimate track demonstrates the band’s ability to take a core idea and expand upon it tenfold. Take notes, folks, this is how cover versions should be done. [4/5]
‘Lunedì Cinema’: Closing out this wonderful album with a groovy, bossa-washed, disco-inspired take on Lucio Dalla’s classic anthem, Calibro 35 call upon the assistance of Italian singer-songwriter Marco Castello, leaving Exploration on the highest of notes. [4.5/5]
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