Carlo Mombelli Prisoner of Strange

“It has taken me years to start hearing me in my music. I have been influenced by so many people. And now at last in my new record there are things there that I have not heard on this planet.” Carlo Mombelli

27.01.2007

The auditorium was full of audience. And the stage was full of musicians. When the show was over everyone was in a terrific mood.

Carlo Mombelli was the generous host in the centre of this engine room of sound. Instruments and personal stood together in a jazz orchestra. In different collaborations they played a repertoire throughout Mombelli's professional career from the 80's : 90's and 00:'s.

Mombelli's fingers danced on the bass. His creativity was emphasized on incidental sounds. When the drummer whacked and flapped heavy signpost sheeting it made the sound of 'scratching' (like Ready D!). A balloon, two bottles, a pair of scissors looped with a whisper created the sound of a boat! And the sound of his wind-screen wipers lead to the fabulous composition ‘Sun Love'.

The 80's were represented by "ABSTRACTIONS". By the manner in which the young guitarist Jonathon Crossley performed, like a cat stalking a rabbit, it was clear that this was some kind of crazy hip music they were playing.

The 90's were represented by the Munich sessions of 'Bats in the Belfry' and ‘Dancing in the Museum'. At this point Carlo changed his bass and sat back on a high stool. He feels the bass as if it were the ocean. From an orchestra arrived strings and cello to add sweeping texture to melodic compositions that moved elegantly to a sultry rhythm

There was an interlude of solo piano called ‘The mime artist'. To create a contraband sound for the composition Jill Richards placed books on the strings of the grand piano. The composition for Walter Battiss followed. Here the string section really tested their wits on a delightful jig of sorts. The conductor would sweep elegantly with his right hand and then tuck and tie with the left before cupping his hands together behind his leaning back and grinning delightfully.

At this point Mombelli's band of individuals (the Prisoners of Strange) presented their fresh and fantastic characters. In Mombelli's anti-war song "We come in Peace" the cellist and male violinist were singing along as brothers in the cause. And Siya stole the heart of this recent period with the gentle street song Malunde, Sun Love and 'Trance by Chance'.

Carlo Mombelli is a deeply original artist :

Mombelli played tribute to his wife on three occasions. And announced the album 'I stared into my head' (Instinct Africaine) officially released. Cover artwork by Norman Catherine

On the opening track we are in a dining club. The band has been hired to entertain fluently. What comes out is a groovy trance beat with punchy scatting and a raunching saxophone. And then comes a peace for Mombelli's daughter: Soft and private. Third track is a profound and beautiful offering to Gito (one of the great spirits of this planet). On the fourth track we are underground, this can be at any time and at any place but somehow a mystic revolutionary force is preaching anti war. "We come in Peace" the chant in a song about Ethical Sam who travels the world advising everyone on how to cook their own traditional foods. Fifth track sonic design : meditations in my backyard. Track 6. Malunde. Where is your home? Running from your memory. Raunching horns and then that bassline that says jazz launches the plight for streetlights. Malunde what will you find? Siya Track 7 is way out sonic design. Volcanic eruptions in slow motion! Picture that. Track 8 is the silence of the storm . Bassline growls, symbols amash. It is a mood. Track 9: Brief and bluesy recital of Untitled Prayer ('96). Track 10 the Battiss jig which is both extraordinary and unordinary. The album receives a final track resurrection of Trance by Chance through the rights of springs. ARTWORK BY NORMAN CATHERINE