'Glera' by Marco Benevento

Continuing with their incredible run of scintillatingly soulful releases this year, New York's Big Crown Records introduce the latest release by Marco Benevento, 'Glera'.

Sitting alongside the brilliance of Les Imprimés' further adventures into 60s/70s folk-soul with 'Fading Forward' and Thee Marloes' 'Di Hotel Malibu' whose dusty, analog textures lovingly nod to their Indonesian heritage, 'Glera' showcases Benevento's similarly charisma-laden project which comes with high expectations.

With a long-standing affiliation as a collaborator with Leon Michels and Big Crown Records, pianist and producer Marco Benevento marked his official induction into the label's threshold through the fantastic lead singles, 'Frizzante' and 'Turandot'.  Boasting an incredible career that has seen the New York-based Benevento helm releases that date back to 2002, his distinctive psychedelic and cinematic soul soundscapes have become something of a trademark for his music to date.  'Between The Needles & Nightfall', from 2010, captured his musical perspectives perfectly and the trademark dusty analog aesthetic has carried through to his debut with Big Crown.  

Even as a collaborator, Benevento has leant his talents to some incredible names having notched up session work with Lady Wray, El Michels Affair, Madlib, Amy Helm and Kali Uchis.  

And through 'Glera', Big Crown seem to have found Benevento at his absolute best.  A fourteen-track selection that revels within the pianist's passions for expansive musical landscapes, tinged with psychedelic inspirations and soulful nostalgia.  Album opener 'Frizzante' offers up an infectious introduction swiftly followed by the undeniable charm, sweet soul and superb production that is 'Turandot'.  Featuring an exquisite vocal from Italian singer Marianne Mirage, 'Turandot' proves as perfect a demonstration of Benevento's 'Glera' as he could offer up.  

The album continues with this nuanced perspective of contemporary sounds with the playful 'Big Top' and the deliciously abrasive 'Houdini'.  Harpist Elizabeth Steiner captivates on 'Miss Neptune' as does Brooklyn trumpeter and luminary Dave Guy on 'Sorgini'.

Ultimately, 'Glera' feels like a fitting homecoming for Benevento - a record steeped in the multitude of styles and sensibilities that have defined his work to date yet still a record imbued with the unmistakable warmth and character of the Big Crown universe.