Review: Tema Due (Nicola Conte & Nico Lahs) - Universo Astratto (Schema Records)

Tema Due's album, 'Universo Astratto' is 'THE WAY' 

You'll recall EP1 and EP2? There's no EP 3 as they've gof on straight into the double Vinyl LP 'Universo Astratto' for the electronic, spiritual, jazzdance album of the year by Tema Due, the immaculate pairing of Nicola Conte & Nico Lahs! 

The album features an exceptional cast of musicians — including pianists Giovanni Guidi and Pietro Lussu, percussionists Gabriel Prado and Abdissa Assefa, Magnus Lindgren on winds and Hammond, and vocalists Lalin St. Juste, Siya Makuzeni, Nina Miranda, and Toco.

More than a club record, Universo Astratto is a manifesto — treating the dance floor as a space for collective awareness, inviting listeners into an immersive world of ancestral grooves and cosmic jazz designed to transcend as much as it moves.

BUY LINK: Music | Schema Records

Artist: Tema Due (Nicola Conte, Nico Lahs)

Title:  Universo Astratto 

Release date: 8th May, 2026

Label : Schema Records

Catalog Number : SC548

Format: 2 x LP Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Gerardo Frisina & Luzia Dvorek - Meu Canto feat. Toco (Schema Records)

Out today (February 2nd) to compliment the Festa de Iemanjá in Salvador; Bahia's annual celebration honoring the Afro-Brazilian deity of the sea: 'Meu Canto'!

A year after "Deixa Passar / Ilê" (see review HERE) Gerardo Frisina reunites with Luzia Dvorek and Toco, this time placing Luzia's voice front and center. Frisina composed and produced the track, while Luzia wrote the melody and lyrics, with Toco on backing vocals and Alfonso Deidda adding flute throughout.

'Meu Canto' draws from Luzia's family history in northeastern Brazil, particularly Bahia, exploring themes of roots, memory, and music as both inheritance and refuge. The song connects deeply to Bahian spirituality and cultural identity.

It will be released later as a 7" paired with Frisina's arrangement of Dorival Caymmi's "A Lenda do Abaeté".

Artist: Gerardo Frisina & Luzia Dvorek 

Title:  Meu Canto feat. Toco

Release date: 2nd February, 2025

Label : Schema Records

Catalog Number : TBC

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Tema Due (Nicola Conte, Nico Lahs) - EP2 (Schema Records)

Tema Due are back with the follow-up to EP1 - yep!  You've guessed it, the imaginatively entitled 'EP2' with the fantastically imaginative young Brazilian percussionist Gabriel Prado and pianist Pietro Lussu!

And those with good memories will recall that Pietro featured on Enrico Bracco's 'Flying In A Box' (see review HERE) and both of them featured on the Conte produced 'Italia' by Till Brönner (see review HERE).

So, you'll instantly recognise that 'EP2' is firmly in the Schema 'school' of "Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, Latin and all points south of the Italian base of the label for many years" along with the likes of Gerardo Frisina, 'Insight' Vol. 2 (see review HERE).

Tema Due, Conte and Lahs, know Latin jazz dance and have also given Brazilian 'Far Out' favourite Nina Miranda on 'Share Your Love' and another jazz pianist, Giovanni Guidi but it's the heavy percussion on 'Galaxy Bloom' with Lonnie Liston Smith keys backed up with 'Praise To The Sunshine' that steels the show.

Now we're in the swing of things, there will be an EP3 to preceed the album; I wonder if they can think of a better title than 'EP1, EP2 & EP3'? 

BUY LINK: Music | Schema Records

Artist: Tema Due (Nicola Conte, Nico Lahs)

Title:  EP2

Release date: 12th September, 2025

Label : Schema Records

Catalog Number : SC548

Format: 12" Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Till Brönner - Italia (earMusic / Edel)

We all loved Italia '90 but for Till Brönner the musical decades were the 70s & 80s when, he says, “Italy created a kind of pan-European sound and an atmosphere that was formative for an entire generation.”  What better way to celebrate a nation in sound then than a new album?

Brönner has worked with countless jazz musso's over the years but this is a dream line-up of Till  (flugelhorn, trumpet, vocals, synthesizers, brass, background vocals), Roberto Di Gioia (he of Web Web and many more on piano, electric piano, synthesizers, mellotron, organ, keyboards, synth arrangements), Nicola Conte (guitar), Bruno Müller (guitar), Pietro Lussu (piano, electric piano), Alberto Parmegiani (guitar), Magnus Lindgren (flutes, saxophones, reeds & woodwinds, woodwind arrangements), Christian von Kaphengst (double bass, electric bass),  Ameen Saleem (double bass, electric bass), Teppo 'Teddy Rock' Mäkynen (drums), Gabriel Prado (percussion, background vocals), Arne Schumann (programming, recording, mixing), Katrin Mickiewicz (background vocal); quite a cast?

Brönner's 2008 album 'Rio' caught the ear of Italian Latin jazzdance expert Nicola Conte (he of Schema Records, last seen HERE) so, it's no surprise Conte would want to get onboard for as a producer for his lounge jazz easy listening exotica OST in a 'la dolce vita' groove with some much loved tunes.

And that would also include guest vocalists like Mario Biondi on 'Via Con Me' (instant hit as, "It's Wonderfull"), Giovanni Zarrella on the 60s International hit 'Quando, Quando, Quando', Chiara Civello ('Parole Parole' - watch out jazz dancers for when it speeds up but where's the 12" version?), Mandy Capristo ('In Alto Mare') and Sera Kalo (you'll love the 'Miles' phreak fusion jazz-funk of 'L'Unica Chance').

Plus, Till's debut as a vocalist, the single, 'Viva La Felicità", a cover version of theme from "Il Signor Rossi Cerca La Felicità", a 1970s Italian cartoon series (see review HERE), we said Till's horn is as amazing as ever, along with, what sounds like the Schema house band, why the fade out?  

Unfortunately, those no 12" mix on the album but there's a small gripe and everything is covered by Till's exquisite playing and there's also a "flute vs Donald Byrd"/OST style of 'Il Trucido E Lo Sbirro', the Latin swing of 'La Donna Invisibile' and cool Rio breeze of 'Travolti Di Un Insolito Destino'.

It's an album that packs a Italia cool of Tony Curtis/Roger Moore that musically represented by the likes of Ennio Morricone & Piero Piccioni (Ed. who are equally present on Temporary Blessings new single that's released on the same day - see review HERE) along with Italian cuisine and cycling precision, this is 'Italia 2025'; Arrivederci! 

BUY LINK: https://till.lnk.to/ITALIA

Artist: Till Brönner 

Title: Italia 

Release date: 5th September, 2025

Label: earMusic / Edel

Cat. No: BAM001RE

Format: 2 x LP Vinyl /CD / Digital

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

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

Review: The Dinings Rooms - Sensibili Alle Foglie (The Lost Soundtrack) (Schema Records)

How d'ya fancy a 'lost soundtrack' of a tribute to 20th Century cultural icons including Joe Strummer (The Clash), Pier Paolo Pasoline (Italian poet, film director, writer, actor and playwright) and Francesca Woodman (American photographer).

Well there's nothing 'garage band' Clash about 'Sensibili alle Foglie (Titoli di testa)' as The Dining Rooms (aka Cesare Malfatti and Stefano Ghittoni) drift into their brand of downtempo jazz electronica ambience.

Great artwork collage of 'icons' (not as chaotic as Dan The Drum & Stuart Patterson's 'UK House Sermon' - see review HERE) but great to have The Dining Rooms back at their Schema Records homeland (Ed. hard to believe it's been 20 years since the 'Experiments In Ambient Soul' album - also recommended).

Artist: The Dinings Rooms

Title:  Sensibili Alle Foglie (The Lost Soundtrack)

Release date: 4th April, 2025

Label : Schema Records

Catalog Number : SC554

Format:   Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Gerardo Frisina - Insight Vol. 1 (Schema Records)

If I was a jazz dance optician, Gerardo Frisina's new album 'Insight' is the sound version of Latin spectrophotometry - you need this!

Well we would say that as being big fans of the Schema 'school' of Afro-cuban, Brazilian, Latin and all points south of the Italian base of the label for many years.

In fact, it's a great testamony that they have managed to keep the quality so high and 'Insight' is no exception.

'Mindoro', 'Desejar', 'Tarab' are all beautifully jazz dance smooth plus there's an instrumental version of 'Samba Skindim' that first appeared on Frisina's 2009 10" EP.

And if you're more Fania, 'Coherente' is the track to go large with and 'Some Soul' slips into a jazzy poolside groove and even more laid back, 'O Soñho'. 

It's been a couple of years since his last album, 'Joyful Sound' (see review HERE) so we got excited about the collaboration of Frisina & Toco feat. Luzia Dvorek 'Deixa Passar' (see review HERE) but just as exciting with this release is that it's Vol. 1 so there's a Vol. 2!

Artist: Gerardo Frisina 

Title:  Insight Vol. 1

Release date: 4th April, 2025

Label : Schema Records

Catalog Number : SC550

Format: LP vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Gerardo Frisina & Toco feat. Luzia Dvorek - Deixa Passar (Schema Records)

Back in 2021, I said that Gerardo Frisina's 'Moving Ahead' was the Album Of The Year'.  He followed that up with a double album, 'Joyful Sound' and now it's time for his latest monster 12"!

It's been a while since the 'Joyful Sound' album (see review HERE) but even longer since the 'Frisina Meets Toco' EP, 5 years to be precise so definitely time for a reunion. 

And joining them on this 12", featuring Luzia Dvorek, the totally world-class Gianluca Petrella (trombone) plus Eduardo Taufic (piano).

If you're new to Mr Frisina, it's worth going way back to catch up with the most recent albums or even early 12s [now on Bandcamp] like 'Gerardo Frisina Blends Sabu Martinez & Shaib Shihab' and 'The Gods Of The Yoruba/Cohete' as he's been the best now for a very long time.

The jazz dance trio of Gilles Peterson, Patrick Forge and Colin Curtis love this and it's a great start to the new year.

Artist: Gerardo Frisina & Toco feat. Luzia Dvorek

Title:  Deixa Passar 

Release date: 3rd January, 2025

Label : Schema Records

Catalog Number : SC541

Format: 12" vinyl   / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Gerardo Frisina - Joyful Sound (Schema Records)

Those with good memories will recall that I said in 2021, "If you've not caught up with last year yet, you'll at least want Gerardo Frisina's "Album Of The Year",  'Moving Ahead'.  Well 2 years on you'll be wanting to move ahead to his latest double, 'Joyful Sound'.

For those that don't know, Gerardo Frisina, is an Italian musician and producer who is most known for his near on 20 year relationship with Schema records, usually focusing on Latin jazz; with the exception of the incredible 12" on Afro Art, 'Alborado/ Congart' ‎(2005).  

So any album by him is highly anticipated, but boy, does 'Joyful Sound' do exactly that!  

Fourteen incredible foward thinking jazz that spans many genres/influences with movement (dance) at it's heart.  

Whether it be the Afro/world tracks, the dub electronica, Afro-Cuban or jazzdance, Afro-Indo/dub-jazz-house (on the fantastic 'Almost Free' anyway) the musicians on here are on it - it being a joyful sound; Enzo Frassi (double bass), Fabrizio Bernasconi (piano, Rhodes), Gendrickson Mena (trumpet, piano), Alfonso Deidda (sax, flute) and Ernesto Lopez (drums, percussion), with the addition of Piero Perelli on drums and Giovanni Guerretti on piano, Hammond and Rhodes..  

Trust me, this is so good you can't isolate one track, it's just gets better on every listen and will be filling the airwaves and clubs (when open) for some time to come as clearly "Album Of The Year" is nailed on!  

What with A.MA Records(A.Ma Edizioni), this looks like another brilliant year for the export of Italian jazz, Congrats Gerardo, congrats Schema!

Artist: Gerardo Frisina

Title: Joyful Sound

Release date: 3rd February, 2023

Label : Schema Records

Catalog Number : SC515 LP / Digital / Bandcamp