For the latest Cognitiva release the label present the 4th release of their Point of View series which focuses on dance floor-oriented sounds, this time they invite the marvellously talented Dr. Sud to deliver a wondrous, jazz laden odyssey, which entices as much as it delights - with some expert remixes to boot….
Dr Sud is the main alias of Gregorio Marigliano, an Italian music maker who was raised in Berlin. Marigliano’s music revolves around the principles of Jazz-meets-Dance music, drawing up the rich tradition that has come before in bringing a high level of musicality and ingenuity within his tunes. Moving fluidly between rhythms and feels, as Dr Sud he captures the imagination with thought provoking and captivating sequences, striking a fine balance between depth and danceability. Harmonies and groove play a key part within his music, such as was highlighted on his 2023 EP ‘Heading South’, coming courtesy of the Q1E2 imprint. This record really highlighted his profound abilities and deep set affection for instrumentation but also mood and tone, and it left many waiting for his next release with baited breath.

‘Point of View 4’ continues forth with the supreme feels that permeated through ‘Heading South’, with the key movement onwards being the inclusion of some killer remixes from Gary Superfly, Broke One, Turbojazz and Reekee. Two original cuts, ‘Breakfast Sun’ and ‘Desert Wind’, lead Sides A and B respectively, and do much to help create a distinctive balance and bookend kind of feel to the record. ‘Breakfast Sun’ begins with a wondrous polyrhythm to get things going, a lone vocal sample thrown in for good measure, and before long we are joined by some delicate but hyper precise melodic features. The slow drawn out chords contrast superbly with the short sharp stabs, acting in accordance with the drums, with the first breakdown providing space for the keys to really flourish and take over. The breakout back into the core rhythm allows for a lead synth line to emerge, and provide those bountiful feels we were all yearning for. The remixes do much to add flavour and some diverse alternative perpectives on the original, with the Turbojazz/Broke One remix taking things in a house-y leaning direction, with the hats and kicks shifting the rhythmic perspective towards sun kissed horizons. The Gary Superfly remix however takes things into a much more cosmic space, with a punchy acid line weaving within the underbelly of the track, providing that late night dance feel for club land scenarios.

On the B Side, ‘Desert Wind’ kicks things off, and once again the drums here start us off in a winning space. The groove is so delicate, poised and perfected, and when the first breakdown arrives the chords come into view, and its glorious to say the least. This track focuses on a much more smooth melodic sequence, with a greater emphasis placed on the lead line, but its just as impactful and soulful as the EPs opener. Delicate waterfall style keys shift in and out of view, providing an overall picture of sonic beauty that we can get behind time and time again. To wrap things up, the Reekee remix of ‘Desert Wind’ comes into view, with this track again moving into dance floor realms with a swinging garage beat that feels unstoppable, shifting and moving between the lines with a joyous ease.

Dr Sud may be a producer to keep a keen eye on, with this latest EP certainly doing that sentiment a great level of justice. This EP provides not only two beautiful original cuts from the man himself, but some imaginative remixes that honour the originals and provide us with an record that will linger long in the memory. For home use, down by the rivera, or in the club, this one has the lot….. More

Rhythm ever present, melody rising and captivating, thirsting for the chance to wrap the listener around its little finger, a tantalising and ever entrancing meander through the possibility of complex percussion and heart warming keys….

The world of Re:Fill can really be summed up with two words: keyboards and drums, but to limit the their capabilities to purely instrumental elements would be a disservice to the incredible soundscapes they create. The duo, consisting of Gaetano DeCarli and Stefano De Santis, have set a very large line in the sand since their inception in 2020, with their deftly crafted blend of jazz laden polyrhythms and softly spoken melodic structures greatly admired for their ingenuity and dexterity. To ensare yourself within their music is to see two heartbeats at play, the pulse of the music inviting hearts and minds alike to swivel and turn at every given opportunity, with the depth on display all the more remarkable that it is all created by two people. Their previous releases all hint towards a number of influences, such as Tony Allen and the London district of Shoreditch, references which give the music an extra edge and allows for the possibilities to flow forth. Singles like ‘The Vinyl Session’ feel as if they contain a multitude of strands, despite the music’s short length, whilst their most recent release, ‘Districts’, has that ultra modern feel to it, as glimmering stabbing synths collide with impeccable percussive elements. if you listen to their previous efforts you see the blue print of much more ambitious things to come, and well the time seems perfect for an LP release….

It all leads onwards, a sound that feels like it could reach heights of unimaginable possibility, and with ‘Cycles’, the duo have crafted something that rises to the very top. Welcomed into the Cognitiva fold like an old friend, ‘Cycles’ reflects the groups’ evident ambition that has dissipated from their previous singles, and provides plenty of breathing room for new styles to evolve and new scales to be explored. The album consists of a number of original cuts along with some excellent remixes, with longtime Cognitiva family member Sofatalk, WheelUP and Ben Hauke invited to place their spin upon the record. What results is a wondrous unravelling of melody and rhythm, with each track opening up like a majestic flower in bloom in the early morning sun, before grabbing the listener by both hands as the groove evolves with such purpose and invention. The opener, ‘Impulse’, does just that, as densities shift perspective within the keys, creating a call and response feel with the drums that merges superbly between expansive scapes and tight, concise funks. The track has not one but two remixes, both of which break things down and rebuild the track with respect and alternative angles, and act as perfect counter balances to the effortless progression of the original. ‘Intemperance’ is perhaps the most powerful track the duo have ever released, with a thick keyboard bass line permeating hard through swirling cosmic synths and heavy hitting drums, with plenty of density found within. ‘Atomism’, ‘Radiance’ and ‘Stillness’ are different beasts, their tone and form slightly less explosive but with the transitions expertly pulled off by creative usage of instrumental shifts and percussive movements. The use of guitar should be noted, giving a very Japanese Jazz Funk feel to proceedings at times, which is always welcomed. ‘Stillness’ also receives the remix treatment, with Ben Hauke’s version doing the milage in bringing the funk into a skippy 2 step space, with looping horns and piano really doing the business as a final curtain call.

Arms open, smiles abounding, and bodies ready for a dance. Cognitiva couldn’t be prouder to release this special album, from a duo who have a very bright future ahead of them. So sit back, or stand up, and prepare to free your mind and let go of your body – this is music to live for. More