pellegrino & zodyaco: koinè
Francisco Espregueira
Pellegrino & Zodyaco's Koinè, released last friday on Early Sounds Recordings, isn't simply just an album; it's a declaration of intent, a "common language" where musical dialects intertwine to create a rich mosaic of sound. The duo, driven by a desire to explore new sonic territories while firmly rooted in Neapolitan tradition, avoids revivalism, instead embracing experimentation. Koinè seamlessly blends Neapolitan melodic heritage with disco, funk, jazz fusion, and world music influences, utilizing a vibrant palette of vintage instruments, ethnic percussion, and Mediterranean atmospheres.
This musical journey, as Pellegrino describes it, is about embracing the risk of change and celebrating its liberating power. Koinè traverses time, exploring the past, experiencing the present with its complexities, and projecting into the future, seeking a "need for elsewhere" that ultimately reconnects us with ourselves. From popular music to synth-pop, contemporary songs blend with a distinct "dance" fusion feel, striking a delicate balance between tradition and creative drive. Over eight trakcs, Pellegrino & Zodyaco, pioneers of the Neapolitan "new school" alongside their previous works Zodyaco I and Morphè, deliver an authentic and contemporary portrait of their evolving sound, proving that conscious escape can indeed lead us back to the heart of things. Available on vinyl, courtesy of Early Sounds Recordings.
“There is no defined goal, rather a desire to explore new sonic languages that hold firmly to Neapolitan roots while opening up to a global and contemporary musical aesthetic.”