Galliano
The Plot Thickens

I notice that as Autumn approaches, it prompts everyone to moments of reflection and to "putting things in order." During these times, many memories surface, sometimes negative but often positive as well.
This album, "The Plot Thickens," together with "Zingalamaduni" by Arrested Development, was the soundtrack to one of the most beautiful trips of my life. It was a journey to the African continent, an absolutely physical and mental journey. Anyone who has been to Africa knows that the definition of a holiday is far from what a passage through that continent, so out of every scheme and logic, can be. Africa is the core of life itself, a place where suffering, joy, wealth, and poverty take on connotations totally different from those we are accustomed to.
The same can be said of these two albums, so original and unconventional, which were both released in the same year, 1994, and perfectly blend with African tribal music from which they absorb atmospheres and sounds. Although I listened to both intensely throughout the journey, "The Plot Thickens" is the one I am more attached to. Some of the tracks from this album, like "Rise and Fall" or "Twyford Down," enjoyed good radio success and are often included in Acid Jazz compilations from that period. It is somewhat difficult, however, to define an album as rich, dense, and complex as "The Plot Thickens" simply as Acid Jazz.

Galliano doesn't sing about love, quite the opposite. Their lyrics are filled with politics, social commitment, hatred for racism, for religious wars, for conformity, and speak of absolute love for peace. A recurring theme is often the difficulty of those forced to migrate from their country and their consequent loss of identity. The great aspiration is towards a global world devoid of borders and prejudices. This is precisely what makes it a timeless album.
The first two tracks, "Was this the time" and "Blood lines," alone make the whole album worthwhile. First the pressing African drums of "Was this the time," then the small melodic intro, and finally the rap of "Blood Lines." Slow ballads like "What colour our flag" or "Cold Wind" alternate with more rap tracks like "Believe" and conclude with the acoustic and sweet "Little One."

I then had the chance in '96 to see them in concert at Velvet in Rimini for the launch of their album “4”… unfortunately, the feeling of an impending decline was already very strong… “The Plot Thickens” therefore remains certainly their best and most mature work.