Justin Adams & Mauro Durante – Sweet Release (Ponderosa Records, 2024)
Sweet Release, the second album by Justin Adams and Mauro Durante, builds upon the success of their 2021 debut, Still Moving. The duo has transformed from a world fusion project into a cohesive, innovative unit, shaped by three years of extensive touring. Their sound expertly combines Durante’s Italian taranta roots with a diverse range of influences, from raw rockabilly and blues to Sufi mysticism. The album, recorded live, captures their intuitive connection, allowing for spontaneous and magnetic moments.
The opening title track, “Sweet Release,” serves as a powerful statement of the duo’s artistic vision, highlighting Adams’ distinctive distorted guitar style alongside Durante’s expert masterful frame drum.
Original compositions include the trancy pizzica-inspired “Leuca,” featuring vocalist Alessia Tondo, and the frenzied “Ghost Train” with Italian vocals by Durante. Furthermore, the duo also reimagines the Lebanese diva Fairuz’s “Wa Habibi,” turning it into an emotive and delightful reflection on suffering with the help of guest vocalist Yousra Mansour.
Adams’ evocative guitar and Durante’s exquisite violin lead “Aurora,” inspired by a dawn call to prayer in Rajasthan.
The instrumental “Ithaca Return” evolves from a captivating electric guitar and violin dialog into a lively, pizzica-like tune propelled by Durante’s impassioned violin.
“Qui Non Vorrei Morire,” a setting of a Vittorio Bodini poem sung by Durante, honors the taranta tradition. The song is a tribute to Mauro’s late father, Daniele Durante, a key figure in the taranta revival.
Sweet Release continues to explore diverse influences, with “Tide Keeps Turning” featuring American underground legend Felice Rosser, whose soulful vocals complement the ritualistic Neapolitan tammurriata beat.
The album closes with “Santu Paulu” ventures deeply into hypnotic psychedelia.
Buy Sweet Release.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.