'Out of Gravity' by Michele Papadia

Michele Papadia's noted positivity and broad-minded musical perspectives have found an apt home on the Italian A.MA Records.

Themselves renowned for championing bold European jazz like the improvisational nature of the Bastian Menz Trio ('Everything In Between'), the spiritually tinged Ugljesa Novakovic ('Reflections') or the folk inspirations of Sonia Ziccardi ('Driade'), A.MA have fully embraced Papadia's infectious energy and ability to not restrict himself to a single sound.  Instead, the pianist opts to fully immerse himself amongst his own litany of influences for his debut with the Bari-based label.

A devoted fan of music that spans the breadth of jazz, funk, soul, blues, gospel and afrobeat - all tenderly infused with mild traces of electronica - pianist, producer and educator Papadia presents his music as an artist painting a vibrant picture in real time while freely sloshing his brush through the rich colour palette in front of him.

Papadia's passions have taken him across the world - including momentous moments of sharing a stage with Brian Auger, performing with Buddy Guy in Chicago and Whitney Houston in Italy.  Understandably, a near 40-year career with the calibre of musicianship that Papadia boasts would lend itself to an extensive list of high-profile collaborations that have stretched from the studio to the stage.  Having chalked up further collaborations with Rudy Rotta, Gianluca Petrella and Ana Popović, Papadia's lengthy history as a collaborator and sideman has helped to cultivate his own repertoire with the eventual release of 'Out of Gravity' serving as the perfect representation of his vast talents and broad vision.

With Papadia tackling piano, Wurlitzer and Hammond organ throughout the album, the core ensemble for 'Out of Gravity' sees trumpeter Fabrizio Bosso, saxophonist Francesco Bearzatti, bassist Francesco Ponticelli and drummer Stefano Tamborrino inducted into the mix providing scintillating chemistry and helping to bring Papadia's vision into reality.  An excellent array of vocalists and spoken word artists are enlisted including Kokayi, Mia Cooper, Deshawn Alexander and Angela Esmeralda who each shine across their respective eclectic and sweeping musical backdrops.

'Out of Gravity' is very much a love letter to the inspirations and influences that have brought Papadia to this moment in his career.  Across the album's ten tracks, each composition bursts with an infectious enthusiasm that finds the pianist expertly weaving varying ideas across the album's overarching narrative.  A genuinely sensational effort, from the Hancock-esque jazz-funk of the album's title track to the neo-soul inspired 'Flowing Soul' to the unadulterated blues of 'In My Soul' - Michele Papadia lovingly wears his affections on his sleeve thus creating a deeply personal project and one that is joyously unrestrained.