MUSIC REVIEW: CALIRBRO 35 - 'RITORNANO QUELLI DI...'

Funk Instrumentals On A Movie Soundtrack For A Film That Only Lives In Your Head

By: Andrew Shaw

July 23, 2010

(CineDelic Records) Ritornano Quelli Di… roughly translated from Italian, expresses the suspenseful announcement “Return of Those…”  Calibro 35’s second album title is the least of their cinematic tendencies.

The five-piece, live-action band set out at the start of their career to recreate the sounds of Italian soundtracks from the 1970s. With this new album, they achieve their ambition and a good deal more.

All instrumental, all thematic, all funk, the 12 tracks run like scenes from a movie you’ll wish was real.  “Fair Sex And Merciless Crimes,” with its rolling keys and crunchy guitar, have you wondering just what kind of alluring creatures the band has been dealing with.  “Calling All Units To Broccolino” is a perfect strut of wah-wah and funk organ laying beneath some smooth then stabbing jazz flute. “The Return Of The Band Part 1″ has us believing ‘The Band’ are perhaps not musicians but a gun-toting black-hooded gang.

Fans of Morricone, people with bank-heist fantasies, and those who crave a deep-shag sense of possibility will need this album.  This is most definitely a party album — good-time music presented refreshingly by musicians at work.   At certain points, beneath the excitement, there’s the sound of fingers on frets, of atmosphere in the studio.   This is a textured sound, all polyester, red leather, sex, death, and car chases.

Calibro 35 does with music what Tarantino does with film.  They borrow from what they love and make it their own before inviting an audience who can’t fail but wants to venture further into the genre.

There’s not a weak moment on this album.  Each cut is perfectly executed, delivering a contagious vibe.  It can’t be long before electronica kids and remix masters swoop on this material.  Just as great lyrical pieces lend themselves to reworking and fresh interpretation, so any of these tracks could be chopped, sampled, and reserved without losing their intention.

However, the real magic of Ritornano Quelli Di… is the dynamic of the band, the feeling that they demand eye contact whilst playing.   There is the very real sense that these instrumentalists are in love with sound.  Few things are more life-affirming than watching the development of a genuine love affair.   If only all of our affairs could carry this soundtrack.

For Fans Of: Ennio Morricone, David Holmes, The James Taylor Quartet

Standout Tracks: “Calling All Units to Broccolino,” “The Return Of The Band Part 1,” “Counselor at Crime,” “Fair Sex And Merciless Crimes”