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Gabin (Italy)
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February 04, 23:59
The original Gabin - a French actor known for his portrayals of jaded, faded anti-heroes in 1930s and '40s-era films - might have chuckled ironically if he had been told that, a half-century after his heyday, two Italian musicians would name a fledgling lounge music project after him. But if he had listened to the music, he would have understood. It's full of languid grace and melancholy and is undeniably stylish - exactly what you'd expect to hear in a Parisian cafe or supper club. Many of the song titles and lyrics are in French. Fillippo Cary and Max Bottini, the men behind this curious project, came from vastly different musical backgrounds. Cary is a DJ, and had spent much of the '90s presiding over chill rooms in Rome's major venues. Bottini, a jazz bassist, had spent the past decade performing with the likes of John Scofield and Billy Coghan.
Together, they created a jazz-electro-lounge-world hybrid - difficult to categorize, easy on the ears. Their eponymous debut has been variously described as downtempo, mellow house, and Latin jazz. Various guest artists contribute to the m?lange. Released in Europe in 2002 (on Virgin Records), Gabin earned quite a bit of critical attention, especially among electronic music circles. The closest thing to mainstream success came in Italy, where both Cary and Bottini already had a solid fan base.
Jazzy house single "Doo Uap, Doo Uap, Doo Uap" climbed to number three on the Italian charts. The duo has not cracked the American market, but they've made a good start: Near the end of 2002, Gabin was released in the U.S. on legendary electronic label Astralwerks. Good reviews and a fair amount of radio play helped introduce it to potential fans stateside.
In 2004, they released "Mr. Freedom". Guest vocalists on Mr. Freedom, include two-time Grammy and Tony winning vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, former Orange Juice vocalist Edwyn Collins and even Dee Dee Bridgewater's daughter, China Moses. Together this session of guest artists take the Gabin sound from punchy, Art Of Noise-esque rock, to sensual slow jams, to new takes on their signature mixture of groove-filled vibes.
Many things have happened to Gabin and to the music world which surrounds them. After their piece rather unexpectedly became one of the top ten hits, they have gathered high consensus also abroad and their record has been published in numerous countries such as USA, Australia, France, Russia, Spain.
Besides, different pieces of the album have been included in a number of the most prestigious electronic dance compilations. And not only that: Gabin have been chosen as the only non original interpreters to re-visit the legendary “Fever” in the box set celebrating Peggy Lee published by Capitol in USA, have signed a remix for Blue Note Marc Moulin, the artist, and have participated in the compilation for the anniversary of the Pink Panther and for Henry Mancini.
Find more at Gabin’s homepage.
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