Fabio Mazzini and Giovanni Tamburini join forces for transporting new EP, Letters – The Hub Session.
By Graeme Smith
Fabio Mazzini is an artist who blends folk, world and meditative soundscapes with his music. For his latest project, he’s reimagined his solo album, Letters, with the help of renowned flugelhorn player, Giovanni Tamburini who brings his background in jazz to the session.
For Fabio, the original letters was a deeply personal work which draws inspiration from literature, Hawaiian spiritualism, a desire for peace and reflections on war. This new version sees Giovanni Tamburini’s flugelhorn join Fabio’s slide guitar and across four tracks, we are invited to contemplate themes of resilience, empathy, and mindful listening.
Things start delicately with Santiago and I was at once struck by the intimacy of the live performance. The pair build a lot of atmosphere with their two instruments, and a memorable melody left me hooked on its every twist and turn. It brought to mind some of Joanna Newsom’s Ys band’s compositions (without the distinct vocal, of course.)
Kumulipo slows things down with a piece that’s full of a sense of place. It will transport you to a remote, Pacific island. Yabalya introduces some electric guitar to proceeding during its meditation on lives lost in conflict before From The East closes the session with a powerful statement on war in Eastern Europe. With delicate plucked strings, it brings with it melancholy that will stay with you.
Together, Fabio and Giovanni have created some of the most relaxing music I’ve ever heard. Tune in and enjoy a momentary reprise from life’s hustle and bustle. Paying full attention to each composition will prove to be a rewarding experience.
Letter – The Hub Session is out now via Raighes Factory. You can give it a listen below.