"This is a journey through a largely forgotten world," explains Conte. "While major jazz recording opportunities were scarce, an incredible network of small labels owned by publishing companies - often created by the composers themselves - began to flourish. This created an open space where musicians could express more experimental and free thinking sounds."
At the heart of Viaggio stands Amedeo Tommasi, the sophisticated jazz pianist who emerged in 1960 backing international stars like Chet Baker, Bobby Jaspar, and Jacques Pelzer. Tommasi was among Italy's earliest artists to introduce Black US modal jazz influences, and traditional recording opportunities dwindled, he pivoted to soundtrack and library music, helping define a distinctly Italian sound that bridged experimental jazz with the emerging possibilities afforded by developments in synthesizer and recording technologies.
The compilation features rare gems from small label outputs, namely the Cenacolo and Rotary label catalogs. Tommasi's contemporaries include the great Alessandro Alessandroni and his vocalist wife Giulia De Mutiis (Kema), Stefano Torrosi (under the Farlocco - meaning fake/phony), and Belgian composer Joel Vandroogenbroeck. The recordings capture the technological evolution of the era as beguiling synthesis often combines with global influences spanning Brazilian rhythms, jazz- funk explorations, and Middle Eastern scales.
"You can hear both the haunting melodies and sun-kissed atmospheres so typical of Italian culture from that era," Conte observes. "Some of these albums could have been proper artist releases, while others were specifically designed for accompanying images on screen, yet all were crafted with exploratory creativity that still resonates powerfully today."
TRACK LISTING
1. Amedeo Tommasi - Brasilia (The Sound)
2. Max Rocci & His Friends - Colorombo
3. Max Rocci & His Friends - Niagara Falls
4. Alessandroni E Il Suo Complesso - Via Mare
5. Joel Vandroogenbroeck - Electronic Jungle
6. Kema - Pescatori (Canto Femminile)
7. Desert - Leaving
8. The Swingers - Depressione
9. Latrudi - Feeling
10. Narassa, Amedeo Tommasi Trio - Lalo
11. The Swingers Feat. Marco Di Marco - Meditazione
12. The Swingers - Nostalgia
