Nicola Conte

Genius is not a word I like to use lightly, but I could almost certainly say this freely about this man without seeming disingenuous or over-the-top.

There is a good reason why so many people have had him either remix or reversion their own tracks, and simply listening to his work will tell you why...

To be honest, early work from Nicola is much more a la lounge music (check his album "Jet Sounds"), but soon after changed into a much more appealing, in my opinion, sophisticated production sound, that not only any '60s afficionado would appreciate but also the modern crossover jazz dancefloors in London, Tokyo, NYC could fully comprehend & admire.

Just a look at any of his later work, proves just how effective he is at his art. After previously remixing Tatsuo Sunaga's "It's You" to perfection (a Japanese 12"), he followed it up with his remix of Sunaga's (aka Sunaga T Experience) "No Reaon No Rhyme" (where he completely reversioned the track into 'A Mode For Tatsuo' - and what a MODE it is; stunning). Another highlight, amongst many others, is his Re:Jazz "Quiet Nights" reversion, which bumps along with his signature piano lines & extra orchestrations taking the listener away to the sky's ...ouch!

It wasn't long before, the biggest jazz label of them all, Blue Note, cottoned-on to his extraordinary talents and released his "Other Directions" album (well at least the CD version of it; of course his beloved original label Schema did a beautiful vinyl 2LP package with bonus tracks!), anyway this album is just perfection, and good sales followed accordingly.

Most recently "Rituals" repeats the success, and provides the listener with 1960's jazz and beyond, featuring some great artists like José James et al.

I must say that I personally will be holding out for his next projects. Be it a remix, reversion, or completely new work.