to listen or purchase
The beauty of Europeans is that they believe in preserving American music culture in a way that we here in the States have forgotten. From jazz and blues to rock, soul and funk, Europeans hold dear the music and they can be strongly critical of wannabe’s emulating their favorite tunes without doing their homework. Disco in particular was a big smash in Europe, and quite a few European bands, producers and artists made an impact during that particular era. Italy in particular, is a country that has had a deep love affair with disco. Italian band Adika Pongo carries on the tradition of making beautiful music with heavy disco, soul and funk influences in a way that is rarely heard in America today.
Adika Pongo has been around since 1993 and its members have made it their mission to become ambassadors of quality music in Italy in much the same way similar bands like Kano and Change did for the country in the 1970’s and 80’s. With their latest album, Groovin’ Up, Adika Pongo has accomplished its mission yet again. Groovin’ Up was recorded between Rome and New York City, and the CD captures some of the NYC soul/funk/disco aura of the 70’s and 80’s with an added Italian flair. There’s no filler music on the album; every song has a high musical quality that is sure to keep you tuned in and turned on.
Adika Pongo makes a point to cover its bases, musically speaking. The arrangements, compositions and production are top-notch, the music is plush, and the vibe the CD gives off sends you straight into dance fever mode. The beauty of Groovin’ Up, which pays homage to greats artists and bands such as Barry White, Chic, and Earth, Wind & Fire, is its syncopation, also known as “boogie” -- and Adika Pongo makes sure you do plenty of that on the album. The CD shifts from a heavy disco sound and ventures into 80’s soul with a dash of funk thrown in for good measure, and it works in a big way. Were it not for the vocals, most of which are clearly performed by European singers, you would think Groovin’ Up was a hot new American band seeking to capture a past era in their music rather than an Italian band that has been around since the early 90’s.
You can’t go wrong with any song on Groovin’ Up, but especially notable is “Good Day,” an instant disco classic fronted by ex-Chic vocalists Luci Martin and Norma Jean Wrightthat club members at Studio 54 would have appreciated. But it is just one of many memorable cuts on Groovin’ Up, an album of tight and plentiful grooves that’s sure to make you move and stay in your rotation for quite some time. Highly Recommended.
By Gabriel Rich