R.I.P. Reggae great Jimmy Cliff, 1944-2025

Sadly, reggae great Jimmy Cliff has passed away at the age of 81. He'll be greatly missed. 

Nicola Conte digs up Italian sound library gems for his new "Viaggio" compilation

Nicola Conte's new archival comp Viaggio presents some amazing lesser known Italian film and television soundtrack swingers.

Viaggio compiled by Nicola Conte

Following his acclaimed five-part Viagem compilation series celebrating Brazil's forgotten bossa nova and samba jazz, Far Out, Blue Note and Schema recording artist and international DJ Nicola Conte turns his curatorial attention homeward with Viaggio, an extraordinary exploration of Italy's library music renaissance 1970-79.

The 12-track compilation spotlights the remarkable creative explosion that occurred during the seventies: when some of the greatest yet most historically overlooked composers, including Amedeo Tommasi, Alessandro Alessandroni and Max Rocci, were composing and recording huge amounts of original music for film and television libraries.

Unlike commercial releases designed for mass consumption, library music was created specifically to accompany images on screen. This meant creative freedom for composers who imagined scenarios, feelings and worlds to soundtrack. Pressed in limited quantities, these recordings were distributed only to internal circles of music supervisors, journalists, and television professionals – making them virtually invisible to the general public for decades.

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 when 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 Girraffa, 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 alias Farlocco - meaning fake/phony), and Belgian composer Joël 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.

Nicola Conte Presents Viaggio releases on Vinyl LP, CD and digitally on November 28th, via Far Out Recordings. Get a copy via Bandcamp right here. Watch Nicola's preview clip right here. 

TRACKLIST: Side A: Amedeo Tommasi - Brasilia (The Sound) Max Rocci & His Friends - Colorombo (Il Mondo Dei Giovani, Vol. 4) Max Rocci & His Friends - Niagara Falls (Il Mondo Dei Giovani, Vol. 4) Alessandroni E Il Suo Complesso - Via Mare (L'Ora Del Cocktail) Joël Vandroogenbroeck - Electronic Jungle (Images Of Flute In Nature) Kema - Pescatori (Canto Femminile) (La Natura E L'Uomo)

Side B: Desert - Leaving (Desert) The Swingers - Depressione (Jazz Video) Latrudi - Feeling (Teleobiettivo) Narassa, Amedeo Tommasi Trio - Lalo (Made In The USA) The Swingers feat. Marco Di Marco - Meditazione (Il Mondo Dei Giovani, Vol. 1) The Swingers - Nostalgia (Il Mondo Dei Giovani, Vol. 3)

Whaddya mean you don't know The Purple Sun

Check out The Purple Sun's apocalyptic fuzz-enhanced whumper "Doomsday" cut for Houston's Rampart Street Records in 1970.

Sugar Brown w/ Nichol Robertson & Andrew McCarthy @ The Cameron, Saturday

Sugar Brown will be playing songs from Toronto Bound with Nichol Robertson and Andrew McCarthy from 8 pm to 10 pm. 

Harrison Kennedy getting inducted into Escarpment Blues Hall Of Fame on Tuesday

Chairmen Of The Board legend Harrison Kennedy is honoured by the Escarpment Blues Society on Tuesday night. Well deserved!

Here's the scoop...

The Escarpment Blues Society proudly presents the Hall of Fame Induction Gala Concert honouring singer/songwriter Harrison Kennedy on Tuesday, November 25th! Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre (357 Wilson St. East, Hamilton) as we celebrate the life, music, and legacy of one of Canada’s most beloved blues artists.

This special event will feature live performances, stories, and a heartfelt tribute to Harrison Kennedy as he is inducted into the Escarpment Blues Society Hall of Fame!

Come be part of history, raise a glass with friends, and honour a true blues legend whose voice and songs have inspired audiences around the world. Seating is limited, reserve your spot now for this once-in-a-lifetime celebration. 

You can get tickets for the Escarpment Blues Society's Hall Of Fame gala featuring a performance by the EBS All Stars along with Harrison Kennedy and friends on Tuesday (November 25) directly from the Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre right  here. Watch a few clips below. 

 

LINKS 

Harrison Kennedy site

Escarpment Blues Society site

Remembering singer/pianist and composer Hoagy Carmichael on his birthday!

Remembering Hoagy Carmichael with a 1961 appearance on the Tennessee Ernie Ford Show, two versions of "Stardust" and more. 

"Play It Loud!" star Jay Douglas lights up the Old Mill, Friday

The electrifying Jay Douglas – subject of the Play It Loud! documentary – hits the Old Mill with his all star band on Friday at 8 pm.

Toronto, get ready for an unforgettable evening with Jay Douglas — three-time Juno nominee, legendary bandleader, producer, and one of Canada’s most beloved and charismatic Island soul ambassadors.

From Rastafest to the 4 Seasons Reggae Cruise, Jay has lit up stages around the world. He’s collaborated with icons like Beres Hammond, Freddie McGregor, Marcia Griffiths, Luciano, Ken Boothe, Ziggy Marley, and the legendary Ernest Ranglin. 

Beyond the music, Jay’s heart is in the community — including helping bring Reggae Lane to life in Toronto.

As can be seen in Graeme Mathieson's excellent documentary, Play It Loud! How Toronto Got Soul (check it out here here), Jay's music career in Toronto began as the frontman of The Cougars, who ruled the local Caribbean club scene in the 60s and showcased at Toronto's inaugural Caribana Festival in 1967. 

And now he’s bringing that timeless magic to The Old Mill (21 Old Mill Rd) this Friday (November 21) from 8 pm to 10 pm. Tickets are $30, available online at www.oldmilltoronto.com or call 416-207-2020 for reservations.  Don’t miss this night of soul, storytelling, and pure good vibes. 

Watch a CBC interview with Jay followed by a couple of recent performances below.