Marco Galardi
Pulse

“Pulse” is the debut work of Marco Galardi, a Florentine musician I discovered purely by chance at a live set presenting the album a few days ago, in a Florentine venue (l'Ambasciata di Marte). His music fascinated me quite a bit on that occasion, and the pleasant surprise made me want to buy the album; then the confirmation of my expectations made me want to share this discovery with you... But let me get straight to the point.

We are faced with a work of genuine experimentation. The union of modern sound manipulation techniques - Loops, samples, and synthetic rhythms - with the most varied influences, from funk to Bristol sound, from psychedelia to Hendrixian explosions, to Miles Davis and world music - all masterfully supported by the backbone of an ever-driving drumming, make these nine instrumental tracks something very interesting, which certainly deserves attention in an Italian scene that still today offers very little novelty in terms of sound research and experimentation. Before starting the analysis of the tracks, I would like to add an important note: the final mixing was done by Paolo Favati, ex-Pankow (a key industrial-EBM band between the eighties and early nineties), an internationally renowned producer who can boast collaborations with Trobbling Ghristle, Killing Joke, Gareth Jones, and Adrian Sherwood (producers of Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, Skinny Puppy).

The album opens with “Kind of Man,” a short intro that gives a glimpse of the tones to follow, dictated especially by the use of synth pads that immerse everything in a spatial and ethereal atmosphere. This never fails to integrate with the analog sound and indeed, it is precisely in this successful blend that one of the album’s greatest strengths lies. Beneath the "synthetic" fabric, a drum worthy of a Bonham in a state of grace bursts forth in the second track, “The Uncles,” a suite that in its second part sees the sonic explosion of an incredible sounding instrument, the electric cello, which finally fades into a rock drum groove that surprises and pleases greatly. The third track, “Dangeridoo,” is undoubtedly the most experimental piece, which builds dark and industrial sounds on a sample of a Chopper engine (by Favati), among piercing noises in the background and frenzied percussion in the foreground. “K” is the most melodic track, opening with the now familiar synth pad on which a powerful rhythm is established, interspersed with drum machine samples and concluded by a Hendrix-style cello solo that is truly stunning. The fifth piece, “Sal’AAM Aleicum,” is another surprise: an incursion into jazz environments of mysterious charm, winking at the great Angelo Badalamenti, David Lynch's trusted composer. Triplet drumming caressed by synths and a celestial sax (Carlo Gatteschi) in a piece that would have fit well in the soundtrack of “Lost Highways” (highly recommended to those who haven't seen it) or “Fire Walks With Me” (same as before), two masterpieces by the American genius. After this little gem fades, there is “Aracnos,” which contains within it the peculiar characteristics of the album, among electronic samples, Galardi's rhythmic heart, sound pads, and an impeccable guitar solo with delay, ending in a digital distortion that decomposes everything. Over the resulting silence, the intro of “Light,” an electro-funk with an engaging rhythm, among samples and programming, in which a painstaking work of sound manipulation is evident. Following yet another surprise, “Chafanga’s Time,” a traditional jazz-funk session free of electronics with psychedelic influences, the last track, “Il genio della lampada,” which definitely ends on a high note: the guest of honor is the Indian sarangi, another instrument with a wonderful sound, which lets us savor the magic of the Orient in an unusual mix of percussive and synthetic rhythms; the result is a post-industrial atmosphere imbued with melodies from the past, reaching the soul as few do.

In short, what can I say: a great find, discovered one might say by chance, of a versatile and inspired musician, whose main skill lies precisely in combining in a cohesive and personal work the most varied influences, integrating electronics and modern sounds with the analog and putting notable technical skills at the service of creativity, never self-serving. While awaiting the next chapter of this homegrown project, dear Debaser readers, I highly recommend it. Label: Pippola Music (Paolo Favati), Distribution Goodfellas.