Nicola Conte

Bossa per Due
 

Brazilian Music

Italian DJ Conte Mixes Bossa Nova,
Acid Jazz, Lounge & Other Sounds

Other Directions
(2004)

2004 Album from the Italian Jazz/Bossa DJ Whose Notoriety in the Jazz Community Extends as Far as the Acid Jazzers who have Wholeheartedly Embraced his Work. For this Outing, None of the Instruments Are Sampled, all Are Played and Conte Functions More as a Conductor. An Ambitious Move on his Part and Further Extending his Artistry.

All in all, I think this is a very very good cd. It really is a different direction from "Jet Sounds" but I think it's a rather positive testament to Nicola Conte's overall musical knowledge, background and leadership. Don't worry - if you still want to hear some of that bossa twinge ala Jet Sounds, there are loads and loads of remixes that Nicola Conte's done that you'll dig - like "Tic-Tac" by Maxwell implosion, "Elevator" by Jaffa and who can forget Rosalia De Souza's "Garota Moderna"? Likewise, remixes that hinted that this was the direction he was going on - Infracom's "Quiet Night", "Meu Samba" by Eli Goulart, "I Sing This Song Just for You" by Xaver Fischer Trio, and several others. And... if you do dig this cd, then be sure to check out Rosalia De Souza's "Garota Diferente" and Gerardo Frisina's "Hi Note" along with Schema's comp "Freedom Jazz Dance". --an Amazon reviewer

Jet Sounds Revisited
(2002)

In this reimagined version of his 2000 import release, Jet Sounds (released in America as Bossa Per Due), Italian producer-jazzman Nicola Conte has found some impressive help in remixing his lounge-flavored electronica. Taking time out from sipping their cocktails are Thievery Corporation, Koop, and the Finnish collective Nuspirit Helsinki, who perform a deeply sensual, eight-minute version of the title track. Also making notable appearances are Japan's Kyoto Jazz Massive, who kick the beat up more than a notch on their ambient-tinged version of "The In Samba." Elsewhere, Conte himself contributes three new tracks, including the Latin-flavored tinkle jazz of "Love Me 'till Sunday," as well as the sly, soundtracklike "Tema in Hi-Fi." Using its fine cast of musicians and producers to full effect, Revisited explores the more acoustic, less beat-driven underbelly of Conte's songs, finding an elegant, carefree sound for a new generation of hepcats. --Matthew Cooke
 

Bossa per Due
(2001)

First, a few words of explanation. Please note that "Bossa Per Due" and "Jet Sounds" are essentially the same album. "Bossa" is the American release, "Jet Sounds" the European. Secondly, you are probably here because you heard one of these tracks on a TV commercial. "Bossa Per Due" (the song) was used in an Acura commercial about a year ago, and "Jet Sounds" (the song) is currently used in the Joe Boxer commercial where the African-American fellow is dancing in his underwear. As for the music itself, Conte fits into an obscure but trendy genre that combines 60s lounge and bossa nova music with modern dance/techno elements. The result is a weird (but often enjoyable) hybrid of retro and ultra-contemporary. Whether you like it or not, you've probably never heard anything quite like it. --an Amazon reviewer