VA - Outlines (2021)

Cognitiva and ANMA Records present ‘Outlines’, a snapshot of a new generation of exciting producers from across Europe, collaborating and mixing jazz, broken beat & house in exciting new ways. 10 tracks split into two parts on vinyl, featuring ones-to-watch Contours, Werkha, Footshooter, Allysha Joy, Karmasound and Domenico Sanna. ANMA and Cognitiva have not only curated the featured artists but have also instigated many of the collaborations featured.

Part 1 is the more jazz orientated of the two halves, opening with the broken jazz funk and juno basslines of “Astral Sorcery” by Future Jazz Ensemble (Sähkö Recordings) and XL Regular.
Quiroga and Milanese jazz funkers 291out follow with some mutant funk and Head Hunters grease on “Fantasia Mélange”. Tuscany’s Slowaxx masters the mid-tempo groove on “Le Tapis Bleu”, crying for a dance floor to gently warm.

On the flip, Cognitiva boss SofaTalk (Piero Paolinelli), reworks “Evidente” by acclaimed pianist Domenico Sanna. Collaborator Shalka Mani draws you in with her poetry over piano licks and scattered snares. We’re not even on the dancefloor disc and we have a broken beat monster closing the EP, on “Anthropocene” by Veezo & F2F Project. Recalling vintage Goya, the heavy Afro Caribbean percussion chops in time with the irresistible electro funk synths.

Part 2 opens up with Aura Safari’s “Velvet Horizon”. Jazz funk synths riffs, a heavy break, bumping kick. A fine example of why Aura Safari’s tunes have been chased by some of the hottest labels and DJs. Karmasound and FootNote, a new project from ANMA boss Angelo Mazzone, pick up the baton with aplomb, slowing the tempo down enough for Mabreezee’s smooth vocals to cast a spell with “Peace Of Mind”. A summer-ready jam, no doubt. Next gen bruk soldier and Dance Regular affiliate, Footshooter delivers a killer jam, full of subtleties on “Hibiscus”. Skipping two-step beat, propulsive bassline, and the unmistakable vocals of Allysha Joy, breakout star of the 30/70 Collective and wider Melbourne scene.

On the penultimate number, Contours, following two acclaimed & sold out releases on ANMA, trades beats and synths with the incredibly talented Werkha, a producer who manages to turn all styles to his will, from broken beat to jazz and soul. Roy Vision closes the set with “4411”. House, broken beat, classic Detroit techno, jazz and UK garage all seem to have a part to play, but the tune stands as a potential dancefloor killer, replete with a spellbinding trumpet & keys breakdown in the middle.

Label bosses Angelo and Piero see ‘Outlines’ as “an open book, a narrative that looks to not only the future, but also considers the past. Sounds, cultures and colours come together on a mutual path”. An exciting collection of first dates, first collaborations that have yielded exciting mutant strains of jazz, funk, broken beat and house music.