Review: Till Brönner - Viva La Felicità (earMusic / Edel)

Till Brönner is a big name in jazz, particularly European jazz, even before the 'Só Danço Samba' remixes by Mousse T and Nicola Conte came out and hit the dancefloor; time for an update?

Brönner has worked with countless jazz musso's over the years (including Bob James, 'On Vacation' 2020) and his 2008 'Rio' album caught the ear of Italian Latin jazzdance expert Nicola Conte (he of Schema Records, last seen HERE) there was no surprise Conte would want to get onboard for the remix.

It comes as little surprise then that when the Hamburg-based trumpet thought of an album entitled 'Italia' he'd think first of Conte as a producer for his lounge jazz easy listening exotica OST in a 'la dolce vita' groove.

'Viva La Felicità", a cover version of theme from "Il Signor Rossi Cerca La Felicità", a 1970s Italian cartoon series is the first single from the album and whilst Till's horn is as amazing as ever, along with, what sounds like the Schema house band, why the fade out?  Can only hope there's an extended version on the album itself.

A what a great cover too!  Deserves a 7" vinyl release at least.  

BUY LINK:

Artist: Till Brönner 

Title: Viva La Felicità 

Release date: 23rd July, 2025

Label: earMusic / Edel

Cat. No: BAM001RE

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Tema Due (Nicola Conte, Nico Lahs) - EP1 (Schema Records)

I said the other day that the spearhead trio of Schema Records Italian jazz scene was Gerardo Frisina, Gianluca Petrella and Nicola Conte and all of a sudden, we a new entry into the 'Champions League' positions, Tema Due!

If you're "a fan of the Schema 'school' of Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, Latin and all points south of the Italian base of the label for many years" as in that most recent Gerardo Frisina album referred to above, 'Insight' Vol. 2 (see review HERE), you'll wonder what's hit you with Tema Due is equal measure of Latin jazz dance perfection and modern Brazilian House.

'Macumba De Oxalà' is heavy on the percussion and jazz-vocal whilst 'La Danse de l'esprit' is 

the keyboard/flute gang fusion for the jazz dance de la Balearics.

Ask yourself, what would Airto and Flora Purim do if they had just arrived in Bari 30 years ago?

And that's what Nico Lahs brings to Conte's sharp jazz suits with house remix credits for Alton 

Miller and Detroit legend Amp Fiddler.  Obsessed with 60s jazz and modern dancefloor, this

 release is perfect. 

BUY LINK: Music | Schema Records - Rearward

Artist: Tema Due (Nicola Conte, Nico Lahs)

Title:  EP1

Release date: 30th May, 2025

Label : Schema Records

Catalog Number : SC547

Format: 12" Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp