Influences: Still
The debut album from experimental dancehall unit STILL is out now on PAN. Milan artist and project leader Simone Trabucchi has previously released on a number of labels, including his own Hundebiss Records. Featuring six Milan-based African-Italian vocalists, the new album I is one of the most original and striking releases we've heard all year.
Trabucchi adopted the STILL moniker following the unearthing of the histories that connect his hometown of Vernasca to Ethiopia and Jamaica, previously explored in a visual arts series that culminated in a documentary screened at Unsound 2016. The series revolves around Italy's colonial past and a cleansing counter-ritual performed by Lee "Scratch" Perry in the Vernasca square where an effigy of Haile Selassie I had been burned 80 years earlier.
Trabucchi has kindly put together this Influences playlist for us, so from Lee Perry and Black Uhuru to Lady G and New Age Steppers, dig in below.
I is out now on PAN. Order it here.
My friend Germay (who sings on the STILL record as well) sent me this video. I really like the Ethiopian and Erithrean way of singing, especially when it gets into something like trancey, angry rapping. Even though unfortunately I don’t understand the language, I can understand pretty easily that the singer’s saying “Italia Fascista”, and I’m pretty sure he’s talking about the attack with mustard gas, that was one of the numerous atrocities perpetuated by the fascists in Ethiopia during the occupation.
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Zenk - Ethiopian Fukera And Shilela (War Song)My friend Germay (who sings on the STILL record as well) sent me this video. I really like the Ethiopian and Erithrean way of singing, especially when it gets into something like trancey, angry rapping. Even though unfortunately I don’t understand the language, I can understand pretty easily that the singer’s saying “Italia Fascista”, and I’m pretty sure he’s talking about the attack with mustard gas, that was one of the numerous atrocities perpetuated by the fascists in Ethiopia during the occupation.
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Lee Perry - UndergroundLee Perry is without any doubt my favourite producer, and ‘Super Ape’ is one of my favourite records ever. ‘Underground’ is a hazy song that reaches perfection, with its rumbling percussions, precise and minimal bass line, and those wonderful feminine chants “Underground roots / Are collie roots”. Meeting Lee Perry and bringing him to my village was definitely one of the craziest and most incredible experiences in my life, so far.
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The New Age Steppers - Observe LifeI love the original Michael Rose version of this song but I also love Ari Up, her voice and her unique style. The production is by Adrian Sherwood who I met at Terraforma a year ago and he basically convinced me to stop smoking cigarettes (together with my friend Ema), so I’m very grateful. Action will be your password.
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Black Uhuru - Guess Who's Coming To DinnerSly & Robbie are my second fave producers of all time, and this track is amazing. I like listening to the song and the dub immediately after that because it kind of reveals the madness beyond the rhythmic patterns and I also love the fact that there’s a bubbling delay feedback basically going on for the whole song.
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Anthony Red Rose - TempoLove this King Tubby era to the bone – Firehouse Crew with King Kong, Red Rose, etc. Simply perfect electronic music, fresh, raw and out of any standard. 1985.
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Lady G - Nuff RespectPretty much everything is perfect in this clip – the arrival, the lights sparkling, her style and proudness, plus the riddim is fire.
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Timberlee Feat. Ward 21 - Bubble Like SoupWard 21 productions are always crazy and deep; it’s great how they split this song into two and Timberlee’s voice… so low, and so lyrically strong.
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Zanaka - MaloyaHarmonic voices, deep drum sound and sparkles. I don’t want anything more than this.
