GALLIANO Vinilo y CD

Review: Rob Gallagher and company make up Galliano, the trailblazing jazz and broken beat supergroup, active at least since 1997 andrenowned for their contribution to the musical landscape across the difficult-to-bridge gaps between music, fashion, spoken word and a concern for current affairs. Having staked their claim to their portion of the jazz and electronica pie as early as 1990, when they first appeared on the scene via Gilles Peterson's Talkin' Loud label, Galliano have gone down in memory as a pioneering acid hip-jazz act, "capturing a scene (then) built on re-invention", in the words of Brownswood. Now the five-piece collective once again moves at one, synergising over a nineteen-track opus, three decades on from their debut, recalling the (literal) quintessence of London's down-in-history acid jazz scene.

Review: Almost three decades on from their last release, Acid Jazz forefathers Galliano are back with news of their new LP Halfway Somewhere, released on Gilles Peterson's Brownswood Recordings. Led by lead single 'Circles Going Round The Sun', which proffers a watery, spiritual jazz-dance exposition through which the raspy vocal humours of the group's founder, Rob Gallagher, waxes poetic about the meaning of getting together for a boogie in the club. Where the somatic essence of the night might otherwise be resigned to experience alone, Galliano defy the unfortunate tendency for philistinism among dance music enjoyers in favour of a consistent spoken-word throughline; this is what the group have done since the 1980s, when they arrived as the first act on Gilles Peterson's Talkin' Loud label in 1990, with 'Welcome To The Story'. Their first full-length record to emerge since their first album, Live at The Liquid Room (Tokyo), released in 1997, Halfway Somewhere is a triumphant yet latent return for these essential players.

Review: Galliano's return with Halfway Somewhere marks a significant moment in the resurgence of acid jazz. Led by founder Rob Gallagher, the band delve into the essence of club culture with their first single, 'Circles Going Round The Sun,' exploring the transformative power of dance. Referencing cultural icons like Andrew Weatherall and David Mancuso, Galliano capture the spirit of London's underground scene from the late 80s, blending music, dance, fashion, and art. With their debut on Gilles Peterson's Talkin' Loud label in 1990, Galliano epitomized reinvention, embracing a fusion of influences from Jamaican style to spoken word records. Now, more than three decades later, they return with a refreshed lineup, drawing inspiration from the global jazz scene. Halfway Somewhere reflects Galliano's evolution, responding to the dynamic landscape of contemporary jazz while retaining their signature sound. With contributions from longtime members and guest artists, the album embodies the band's enduring spirit of experimentation and joy. As they navigate this new chapter, Galliano proves they're still on a journey, but one filled with excitement and creativity.