Cielle.Audio
Machine Jockey

The album in question is the debut of the producer and musical DJ Claudio Vittori AKA Cielle. Audio, already a member and founder of the small Bolognese electronic music label Phonotic. The name just can't help but annoy me, reminding me of the infamous Communion and Liberation, the most mean-spirited, insidious conservative organization of Catholic origin. However, the external graphic design is nice, playing with the imagery of the electronic musician among synth keyboards, mixers, and PCs, although the inside is a bit flashy—actually, too flashy.

The music moves between Kraftwerkian minimalist house atmospheres and discordant notes, taking into account the lesson of Daft Punk, and in more places, it takes a broader breath, rich with different suggestions that touch upon chill-out without ever becoming postcard-like. Notable are the Mediterranean dub that seems to contain seeds of Thievery Corporation and Jah Wobble in Summer dub, the syncopated and recurring violins in the crooked and engaging house of "Mio fratello," and finally the light wake-up downtempo complete with birds of Rebirth in May.

Among the more upbeat tracks, there is nothing exhilarating, and often the sound is a bit plasticky and flashy like in the Kraftwerk 2005 version of the title track or in the unfortunate Punkaffashion, too derivative of the not-so-charming sounds of DJ Hell. Instead, Kids fight for "a different nation" showcases good engaging and promising beats and a spectacularly soulful sax refrain. If I had to give a grade, it would be a seven for the effort and certain insights, but there's still much work to be done on the sound and a more original style.