Listen to this
Several microlayers of electronic pickup texture make a kind of grease in the grand acoustic funk-machine of Adam Ben Ezra’s upright bass. It beggars belief that the man is playing just one instrument: he is percussion, rhythm section and emergent melody all at once and against all physics appears to be deep inside his own pocket. (Adding Michael Olivera on drum set--see video below--brings us most disgustingly to a total of about eight dimensions.) Anyway it’s stupid to describe it with words. JP
For neatly rounded corners of sax-forward funk try Sam Greenfield, who appears to come in Cory Wong’s revival of smooth jazz (via Dave Koz). This style of saxophone may sound gross--at least it does, a little, to my young-in-the-’90s ears--but the journey up and down the mountain by choreographed and syncopated steps makes for a neat walk-along, and it’s just plain interesting to hear the Vulfpeck sound digested in acts like these. JP
I’m pretty sure we have all lost our heads over what “jazz” actually is, unless it refers merely to the ether through which hip-hop, funk, punk and classical exist (and get roughed up, perhaps, by spontaneous atmospheric compressions that inexorably lead to syncopation). Anyway, Between Worlds (masterminded by Luxembourg’s own Mateus Wojda) accommodates all that plus an oxymoronic type of futuristic nostalgia in its use of GameBoy-esque synthesisers. Besides Wojda on bass and digital mixing, the band boasts John Wolter on drums; Pit Dahm on keyboard; Pierre Cocq-Amann on saxophone; and Gilles Grethen on guitar. Get your earful . JP
The second season of the Genoa-based Italian police/drama series “Blanca” aired a few months ago, and while I’m afraid I was quite disappointed with how the season ended, I have to say that the soundtrack--with music by Calibro 35--was excellent: catchy and upbeat tunes that make you want to snap your fingers. Listen . LL
Essential viewing
Do you think sea monsters are scary? If so, think again! The Disney-Pixar animated film (2021) tells the story of a young, friendly sea monster who wants to see the world on land (and own a Vespa). Think Little Mermaid vibes, set in a colourful and picturesque little village on the Italian Riviera (inspired by Genoa and the Cinque Terre), but with less singing, more pasta and no terrifying Ursula. The storyline is amusing, the characters are engaging and--santa mozzarella!--the animation is amazing. LL
Set 300 years after the events of the initial reboot trilogy, the new blockbuster Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes depicts a dystopian future in which apes have replaced humans as the dominant species. The film follows a young ape called Noa as he seeks to avenge his father’s murder and reunite his people. While the story is strong, what really stands out about the picture is its visual effects and cinematography. The film features the same groundbreaking motion capture CGI that made the original trilogy so extraordinary and allowed human actors to portray apes in a flawless manner. While VFX pioneer Andy Serkis--who played the main character in the previous trilogy--is not present in Kingdom, actors like Owen Teague and Kevin Durand deliver stellar performances and carry the load well. It is near impossible to tell that it’s actually humans playing every ape in the movie, which is truly a testament to both the actors and the incredibly high level of visual effect artistry. CS
For foodies
Open since April, offers homemade, gluten-free traditional Italian food (inspired in part by the fact that the daughter of one of the founders and chefs has coeliac disease, making her unable to eat food containing gluten). Located between the Virchow and Huese Vic bus stops, its name comes from a combination of the two founders’ surnames and their appreciation of Camus’ philosophy. I stopped by the cosy café for a snack and enjoyed a slice of chocolate-almond cake called “La Caprese,” a Neapolitan specialty where you could really taste the almonds but you’d never guess that it’s flourless! They also do breakfast, lunch and aperitivo on Friday evenings. LL
Further afield
If, after eating some Italian food in Bonnevoie, watching an animated film that takes place in Italy and listening to music from a TV series set in Genoa, you have a hankering to go on holiday in the region, then I’d recommend checking out the Palazzo Reale in Genoa. One of the Unesco-listed Palazzi dei Rolli, the palace is today a museum that houses a Versailles-like hall of mirrors, as well as tapestries, furniture, frescoes and paintings by artists such as Tintoretto. Built in the 17th century, the palazzo was first owned by wealthy silk merchants, bankers and financiers--allowing for luxurious interior decorations--before becoming a royal palace in 1824, then a national museum after World War II. LL
The Palazzo Reale in Genoa has a Versailles-style hall of mirrors. Photo: Lydia Linna/Maison Moderne