Capturing a deliciously vibrant and inspired set of eclectic and varied soundscapes, The Tony Soprano Band make their riveting debut for Dune Castle Records with 'Downtempo 1'.
As an album composed and created very much in line with the Dune Castle aesthetic, the Tony Soprano ensemble is comprised of friends and Dune Castle label-mates that each revel within the constructs of live performance, improvisation and instrumental collaboration. As a label now into its sixth year, the Patrick "Cantrips" Ryan-helmed studio and recording home has championed the free-thinking and diverse musical projects of a host of artists and bands, all keen to express their distinctively unique musical vision: from the left-of-centre electronica and nu-jazz scope of Evening News, the cinematic funk of Blademasters or the 60s folky soul of Robbie Belchamber, Dune Castle has consistently represented innovative perspectives on predominately Melbourne-based artists and perspectives.
The Tony Soprano band adds its name to the eclectic lineage of the label delivering a fantastic and compelling project at the same time. Made up of bassist Daniel Rock, drummer Lucky Pereira, Robert Downie on sampler and drum machine and Winton Findlay on synthesizers, 'Downtempo 1' found its life from a series of improvised jam sessions that were later repackaged and recontextualised by Patrick Ryan himself and presented in the phenomenal end-product that we now have.
Across the album's seven compositions, the quartet lovingly wear their influences on their collective sleeve - from the boom-bap of golden era hip-hop to the more immersive and darker aspects of the production that at times call to mind traces of 90s trip-hop. Conversely, the band's use of synths has a fascinating ability to both usher in warmer and more intimate dimensions to the music while still retaining the freedom to create even more trippy sonic backdrops at the same time.
'Downtempo 1' is an ingenious album that doesn't find itself trying to overly force itself into different categories or characterisation; as an album, it is never trying to make itself anything other than what it is: a free-flowing and visionary project born of profound imagination.
It may not be really understood at this time whether the adoption of the "Tony Soprano" name serves as an affectionate nod or whether there is a stronger parallel being drawn - perhaps though it has to do with the notion of contradiction, the idea of an entity retaining the benefits of strength and tenderness, rigidity and impulse, curiosity and confidence. Either way, in the words of Uncle Junior, "You steer the ship the best way you know".
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