CONTACT. Roberto Pugliese and Alberto Pizzo

Differences and connections, experiences and exchanges: CONTACT is a compelling outcome for two musicians with different paths and results, united by their hometown, Naples, their study, and their shared vision.

The album consists of nine tracks for piano and electronics, nine pieces in which Pizzo and Pugliese immerse themselves in their world and experiences, blending electromeLODIES, futuristic pulses, jazz sensations, and transfigured world music. It is a dialogue between music and cultures, as the two musicians emphasize: "When thinking of the combination of piano and electronics, the first thing that comes to mind is Sakamoto/Alva Noto, a project we loved very much, which is based on the dialogue between Japanese musical culture and Mittleuropean electronic sounds. Our idea was to think of something that could communicate with our musical tradition both from a melodic/harmonic and rhythmic perspective. All of this was then mixed with a good dose of electronics that, in some of the tracks, moves away from the 'classic' minimalistic view in favor of a construction we would almost call baroque."

The melodic inspiration of Pizzo intertwined with the material work of Pugliese, focusing on timbre and dimension. This perspective also informs the participation of Paolo Fresu in the track *Ikigai*, one of the most famous and recognizable trumpeters in international jazz. As the musicians note, "His presence gave the track a third dimension, an added depth, a disorienting multisensory experience. We are very grateful for the tribute he has paid us."