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SLIVOVITZ

Jazz Rock/Fusion • Italy


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Slivovitz biography
The band "Slivovitz" was started in September 2001 and ever since hasn't stopped moving, growing, changing shape and direction always in the groove of instrumental music related to ethnically tuned jazz rock. Neurotic, restless and of course striving to shifting during these years, starting from Naples, Slivovitz has been playing throughout Italy and abroad, reaching for instance Hungary (Budapest Sziget Festival, Debrecem, Veszprem, Ocs...), Spain (Barcellona) , Serbia (Nisville Jazz Festival, Belgrade) Croatia (Zagreb) and Austria (Mumyuha Festival Hochneukirchen). With the original line up (Domenico Angarano - bass guitar, Stefano Costanzo - drums, Derek Di Perri - harmonica, Marcello Giannini - guitars, Pietro Santangelo - saxophone, Riccardo Villari - Violin) Slivovitz has recorded its first homonymous record between 2004 and 2005, distributed by Ethnoworld S.r.l. ( a record label settled in Milano); with a line up enhanced by the voice of Miss Ludovica Manzo Slivovitz has eventually recorded ita second record in the heat of Neapolitan summer in 2007 at Megaride Studios. In these newer tunes the "instrumental" utilization of the voice stands out, as well as the mingling of the several instruments at hand, never relegating any member of the band as just mere accompanist. The strong "live" inpact points out a clear rock ascendant on the rhythm section, mitigated by the innate improvising skills of the soloists; all of this melted in complex structures that refer to the purest jazz rock of the early seventies but with ethnic sonorities from Mediterranean to the Balkanik area.

The record, under the title "Hubris", enanched by guests such as Giovanni Imparato (vocals and percussions in "CaldoBagno"), Marco Pezzenati (vibraphone in "Mangiare") and Ugo Santangelo (acoustic guitar in "Co2"), has been mixed by Luca Barassi at SAE's studios in London , and mastered by Fabrizio de Carolis at "Reference" studio in Rome. "Hubris" has been released in September 2009 and distributed throughout the world by Leonardo Pavkovic's MoonJune Records.

With the current line-up of the band, which features new drummer Salvatore Rainone as well as trumpet player Ciro Riccardi, Slivovitz is just about to finalize the pre-production of their next record, due to be recorded in London in December.

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SLIVOVITZ discography


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SLIVOVITZ top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

4.00 | 8 ratings
Slivovitz
2005
3.73 | 27 ratings
Hubris
2009
3.99 | 27 ratings
Bani Ahead
2011
3.98 | 34 ratings
All You Can Eat
2015

SLIVOVITZ Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

4.91 | 7 ratings
Liver
2018

SLIVOVITZ Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

SLIVOVITZ Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

SLIVOVITZ Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

SLIVOVITZ Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Liver by SLIVOVITZ album cover Live, 2018
4.91 | 7 ratings

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Liver
Slivovitz Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by memowakeman
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

5 stars Fascinating!

Since the very first time I listened to this live album I felt completely mesmerized and I dare say, it might be my favorite Moonjune live record so far. It is simply extraordinary! It was recorded back in 2016 and release in this 2018, so as you can imagine the production made a great job so they could hand us a CD with a magnificent sound and incredibly well performed music. These Italian play just like a musician has, with true passion, joy, incredible individual skills but most important, with a great communion as a band.

It kicks off with the vibrant "Mai per Comando", and believe me, since he very first seconds you will want to stand up and shake your body, you will have to, I bet. The brass section is wonderful here, maybe the one that caught my attention first, but what strings and drums do is also superb, full of energy and most important, reflecting on stage the already superb compositions. "Cleopatra Through" shows the amazing power of partnership, I mean, they are all together and all of a sudden there is a disconnection and later the musicians add their grain of sand little by little, as a result of years of practice and getting to know each other. Here the violin takes a special place after a couple of minutes, guiding his companions into a jazz-rock atmosphere. This (and well, actually all) is a wonderful track!

"Currywurst" is a personal favorite, I loved it since the "All You Can Eat" times, so as you can imagine, to listen to this live performance almost produced me a heart-attack (in a positive sense) because what they do is simply amazing, they can take the listener to a virtual trip to the stage when this was recorded and let us feel embraced by its deep atmospheres and that incredible musicianship they possess. Jazz, fusion, funk, rock, all gathered here and flawlessly performed. "Egiziaca" reminds me that there is also a gypsy flavor on Slivovitz music and that I had not mentioned it. They have the talent to gather elements from different genres and schools and put them together in a single composition. It is great how they manage to offer powerful and fast moments and then all of a sudden change and offer much softer (but somber) passages that take us to the times of Miles Davis. Masters!

"Mani in Faccia" lasts a couple more minutes than the original version and I thank the band for that. This song has an exquisite blend of elements, the intensity of the brass section, the delicacy of the violin, the amazing fast energy of bass and drums, while guitar creates some quirky notes here and there. It is like a representing a regular day's emotions: energy, joy, tranquility, doubt, hurry and even fatigue. "Negative Creep" is a cover of 90s Nirvana, I admit I had to search and listen to the original song because I didn't remember it (not a Nirvana fan, btw), and well, it is curious they decided to play it live, however, the result is as one can expect from a band like Slivovitz: amazing. This is the kind of covers we need, something really different that yes, might respect the essence of the original, but most important, respect the essence of the band that covers it. Sax and trumpet are the substitute of the voice and they make it great!

This outstanding live album finishes with "Caldo Bagno" which is another wonderful composition shared on a flawless performance. I think there is not so much to add by now, I've been digging this album recently and I simply love it, which is why I highly recommend it to you, no matter if you are a Slivovitz newbie or a connoisseur, the music here speaks for itself.

Five stars, easily!

 Liver by SLIVOVITZ album cover Live, 2018
4.91 | 7 ratings

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Liver
Slivovitz Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by kev rowland
Special Collaborator Honorary Reviewer

5 stars Slivovitz are back with their fourth album, which has been made available in multiple formats: HD Download (24bit/88.2khz WAV, FLAC, M4A, MP3-320) and CD (rigid cardboard Mini LP gatefold style packaging, on MoonJune, in collaboration with Audio Anatomy, Poland) and LP - 180 gram vinyl (released in a limited quantity on the Italian vinyl only label SoundFly). Recorded live on May 27th, 2016 at Casa di Alex (Milan), here we have the same line-up that recorded the previous studio album, with material being taken from both 'All You Can Eat' and 'Bani Ahead'. As one would expect from these guys, they have taken the original material and have kept it incredibly tight, but have also allowed themselves to expand and take it into new directions.

These guys are at one with the music, and at one with each other. Yes there is a great deal of structure, there needs to be when the music is as complex as this, yet there is also plenty of room for individual expression. Marcello Giannini allows himself to turn his amp up just that little bit more, using distortion to create a backdrop where he can sit and let the others take the lead, or provide just that little bit of edge. One of the highlights of the set is "Cleopatra Through", where the guys do allow Riccardo Villari to demonstrate his skills with the violin, and one can feel/hear them all champing at the bit waiting to make their presence felt. It is almost like a pack of wolves, they all want to demonstrate that they are the alpha, but let the others strut their stuff first. The restraint being displayed by all of them is quite considerable, but the music as a whole is always more important than any single individual, and they know when it is time not to play, when it is time to support, and when it is time to just let loose the hounds and go full blast into the dark night. Music likes this takes on an additional edge when in the live environment, and if you have yet to approach these guys, then this is the pl;ace to start.

 All You Can Eat by SLIVOVITZ album cover Studio Album, 2015
3.98 | 34 ratings

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All You Can Eat
Slivovitz Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by kev rowland
Special Collaborator Honorary Reviewer

4 stars Some four years on from their second album 'Bani Ahead', this the Italian masters of progressive gypsy electro-eclectic jazz returned in 2015 with 'All You Can Eat'. As with their previous album. this is again fully instrumental, primarily because there is just no room at all for any vocals. They just wouldn't fit! Yet again there had been a slight line-up change, with bassist Domenico Angarano making way for Vincenzo Lamagna. Here is band that is continuing to push the boundaries of progressive jazz rock, taking the likes of Zappa into areas that even he hadn't thought of. Ricccardo Villari (electric and acoustic violin) has obviously been heavily influenced by the great St'phane Grappelli, but whereas he normally only had to battle against a guitarist (admittedly he made his career working opposite one of the greatest of all time), here we also have a sax player, a trumpeter, plus Derek Di Perri on harmonica. Derek isn't a blues wailer either, he is short and sharp, tying in the rest of the brass to provide a structured wall for the others to play against.

There are times when the guys are languid, structured, layered, all taking their time to add their touches to the music, while at others they are battling, with the brass and violin competing against the electric guitar to see who can be the most dominant and have major impact. Then behind it all Salvatore Rainone is keeping it all together on the drums, and Vincenzo has a wonderfully warm bass sound and feel that provides the foundation for the others. The title suggests that there is room here for over-indulgence, and the musicians, both individually, and collectively, do push proceedings well into the realm of excess, allowing themselves the joy complex arrangements and dramatic compositional shifts and transitions, until they are finally satiated and there just isn't space for another morsel. Moonjune Records keep releasing amazing albums by fine artists, and this is yet another.

 All You Can Eat by SLIVOVITZ album cover Studio Album, 2015
3.98 | 34 ratings

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All You Can Eat
Slivovitz Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by schizoidman

4 stars "All You Can Eat" is a great instrumental album bordering on classic. Slivovitz have their own unique sound based on Jazz/Classical/Rock/Funk/Blues elements. Influences that I can detect are Weather Report, Return to Forever, early Stanley Clarke, the jazzier side of Steely Dan and the like. Each piece of music is written with careful attention to structure and melody but allowing room for just enough improvisation. These guys can play, be it written on paper or flowing from their minds. The music is beautifully melodic ("Hangover"), humorously complex ("Barotrauma") with elements of tight, slippery funk ("Passanante") and their use of harmonica in this genre is truly ground breaking. To my ears their sound is "clean", the only distortion effects used sparingly are on the guitar.

If any of the group happen to be reading this I must certainly take the opportunity to say Thank You to all of them from the part of my essence that needs the beauty of music to help me get through this thing called life.

 All You Can Eat by SLIVOVITZ album cover Studio Album, 2015
3.98 | 34 ratings

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All You Can Eat
Slivovitz Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by dNZh

4 stars This album is impressive, an enjoyable jazz prog album, each track contains a set of violin solos, with the correct melodies becomes an exciting journey through songs such as Persian Nights, Passannante, Hangover. The trumpets are manifested throughout the whole album, Barotrauma and Persian Nights are a good example of this, also you can hear harmonica, which is not often used in jazz. My favorite songs are Mani in Faccia and Passannante. At different points of the album you can feel an air of 70s prog bands, maybe a little bit of King Crimson. It's an excellent album, from the beginning to the end, Slivovitz was a surprise for me, i had not heard any of his albums, but from now, I will have all their discography. Sorry for my English.
 All You Can Eat by SLIVOVITZ album cover Studio Album, 2015
3.98 | 34 ratings

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All You Can Eat
Slivovitz Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by memowakeman
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars I love this musical world because it is endless and always surprising you with new discoveries; and though I had already heard of Slivovitz, honestly I had not listened carefully to their music until this new 2015 album entitled All You Can Eat came to my hands. Released under Moonjune Records label, this Italian combo offers the listener a quite adventurous journey through experimental jazz and fusion, in whose 47 minutes of time, your ears will be completely satisfied.

The journey begins with "Persian Nights", a track that fuses jazz with avant-garde, in which the band makes a progressive, powerful song whose intensity increases while the seconds pass. The wind instruments create wonderful nuances, while violin adds cadency and guitars energy. Later it slows down and the trumpet appears, taking us a bit back to those Miles' years; later it progresses again and the last minute is truly exciting. This is a great opening song! "Mani in Faccia" has an exquisite blend of elements, while sax and trumpet put the energy, violin adds softness, and guitar quirkiness. I am not an expert on jazz, so I cannot tell you which style does Silvovitz play, however, I believe it is a quite original act that would please anyone's ears.

"Yahtzee" has a much softer beginning, without a clear structure, but a nice experimental passage. Then after two minutes, drums enter and introduce a new rhythm while saxophone plays a delicious sound. In the second part, guitar is what takes our attention, you will notice it. Though "Passannante" is the shortest track here, I must say it is one of the most interesting ones, due to that avant-jazz sound full of pauses and changes, showing us a very clever composition. Here we can also appreciate a new element: harmonica, an element which is uses also in "Barotrauma", a softer track that reminds me a bit of some 70s jazz and Canterbury passages mainly in the first part.

I believe "Hangover" is probably the friendliest track here, I mean, the easiest to dig and to listen, not so experimental and with a soft rhythm than any fan of music could enjoy. A nice one, but not my favorite track definitely. On the other hand, "Currywurst" became my favorite one since the second time I listened to the album. I love how its rhythm caught me, making me move my head and body with this mixture of jazz, fusion and even blues, implemented of course, by harmonica and guitars. The album finishes with "Oblio" which offers in the first minutes the softer side of Slivovitz, but later it becomes heavier with the electric guitar, so I believe this track sums up what their music is about.

I have played this album with some friends who have enjoyed it, because it is great, which is why I invite you to listen to Slivovitz and if get this release from their bandcamp site, or from Moonjune Records. My final grade, four stars.

Enjoy it!

 Hubris by SLIVOVITZ album cover Studio Album, 2009
3.73 | 27 ratings

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Hubris
Slivovitz Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

4 stars I must admit I wasn't expecting a lot from this release, especially when a co-worker got it for me. I had no idea who this band was and was really surprised to find them on the site here. The next step of course was to listen to it, and while it took a few spins, this has been a cd i've looked forward to playing everyday. It's a combination of Jazz and World music I guess you could say bringing to mind the world music of AZIGZA although not as good or as in depth. It also reminded me of FULANO but again I feel it's not as good for my tastes and certainly not as dynamic as that band. Still like I said earlier this is a recording I have really warmed to and it's left me with a great appreciation for this Italian band. Love the album cover as well.

"Zorn A Surriento" opens with a bass solo(what!) before percussion joins in, then female vocal melodies and sax kicks in. This is really enjoyable. Bass, sax and drums lead before 2 1/2 minutes when the vocals stop. Next the sax gets dissonant, so good. Vocal melodies return with that earlier sound. "Caldo Bagno" features percussion and female multi-vocal melodies early on. Female vocal melodies start to lead with guitar. Great sound. Check out the multi-vocals after 3 minutes that become the focus along with percussion. Bass and guitar take over. Nice. "Mangiare" is led by drums and guitar early on, this is all very intricate then this swinging melody takes over. Demented male vocals come in briefly. Vibes follow with sax and this is all so intricate and complex. Crazy sax runs follow then that swinging melody returns before 4 minutes. "Erorre Di Parallasse" is a jazzy tune with sax, harmonica and guitar standing out. Some nice bass and drum work as well. Violin comes to the fore around 2 1/2 minutes in and that continues to around the 4 minute mark when the guitar takes over tastefully. "Ne Carne" is a pleasant laid back song that makes me feel good. Female vocal melodies help out as well. "Ne Pesce" is a favourite with the atmosphere and drum work leading off. It kicks in just before 2 minutes with the sax leading. So much going on and I Iove the bass and drum work. Great tune!

"Dammi Un Besho" is very festive sounding and uptempo. Female vocals around 1 1/2 minutes and she's so good. Sax takes over from the vocals a minute later. An interesting instrumental section follows then back to the festive passage. "CO2" features acoustic guitar and sax leading the way. This is very uplifting and enjoyable. I love the more laid back passages. "Sono Tranquillo Eppure Spesso Strillo-STRESS" is an uptempo FULANO-like tune with female vocals. The guitar is played quickly throughout. Check out the vocals 1 1/2 minutes in. Male vocals follow and they are animated. She's back before 4 minutes. Another favourite. "Canguri" has lots of sax, violin and harmonica and is mid-paced. Cool sound 3 1/2 minutes in with the steady beat as the sax plays over top. Nice section 6 minutes in as the violin, sax and harmonica give way to percussion, bass and more. Back to the original sound before 8 minutes. "Tilde" is another impressive instrumental where drums, sax and violin shine. It's quite laid back and enjoyable. A jazzy soundscape 5 1/2 minutes in. The sound of water and two people talking ends it. "Sig. M Rapito Dal Vento" featrues picked guitar, random drum patterns and atmosphere to start. Sax and violin join in as it becomes more dynamic.

I am really taken with this album, it's adventerous and warm all rolled into one.

 Bani Ahead by SLIVOVITZ album cover Studio Album, 2011
3.99 | 27 ratings

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Bani Ahead
Slivovitz Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by kev rowland
Special Collaborator Honorary Reviewer

4 stars In 2011 Slivovitz returned with their third album, and there had been a few line-up changes in that singer Ludovica Manzo was no longer involved and they had a new drummer in Stefano Costanzo. It was no surprise to see that the guys were now a completely instrumental act as there is just no room in their music for vocals. The band were obviously not content to rest on what they had achieved with the previous album either as here they are taking a more aggressive stance with stronger guitar presence and a real edge from the brass. On top of this they move more into the avant-garde area, challenging the listener but never moving too far wars from their fusion roots. Take opener "Egiziaca" for example, it may start with some hard rock riffs but moves through avant-garde and chaos only to turn into a highly complex jazz fusion that could be John McLaughlin and Santana at their finest when working with a big band.

It is an album that is hard to take off the player once it makes its' way on as it is just so good. They run with freedom when they wish, swapping the lead roles between every one of them, yet at other times they knuckle down to complex harmonic jazz that has purpose and delivery. This is much more than just moving an electric rock guitar into the jazz area, using the odd violin and then calling it fusion. This is the real deal. www.moonjune.com

 Hubris by SLIVOVITZ album cover Studio Album, 2009
3.73 | 27 ratings

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Hubris
Slivovitz Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by kev rowland
Special Collaborator Honorary Reviewer

4 stars The thing that strikes me most about Slivovitz is just how tight the musicians are, and how they easily move between taking lead, providing harmony or contrast and then back again. This is fusion in a constant state of flux and motion. This was the band's second album, originally released in 2009 (but also containing some tracks that were recorded as far back as 2004) and although a singer is credited he is certainly conspicuous more by his absence than for his contribution to the sound. There just isn't room for him here. Interestingly there also isn't room in the band for a keyboard player, but with sax, violin and harmonica all fighting with the guitar and rhythm section for centre stage perhaps that isn't really surprising.

What I really enjoyed with this is the way that we the guys bring in so many different influences from South American latin and bossa nova into Canterbury Scene, then Zappa and throw in all together with some European. This is all over the place, truly progressive as they refuse to acknowledge any particular musical form ' why settle for one when there are so many available and somehow you can bring them all into one piece of music? They can be gentle and relaxing, thoughtful in approach, or they can bring together a whirlwind of sound and dynamics.

'Sig. M Rapito Dal Vento' is the final number on the album, and the restraint and control are evident here as drummer Stefano Costanzo works tirelessly to drive the band along while the rest of the guys are far more laid back and refuse to go faster that is required. Well worth investigation. www.moonjune.com

 Hubris by SLIVOVITZ album cover Studio Album, 2009
3.73 | 27 ratings

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Hubris
Slivovitz Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by apps79
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars With one foot grounded in Ethnic Music and the other stepping into Jazz territories, Naples- based act Slivovitz was formed in 2001 with Domenico Angarano on bass, Stefano Costanzo on drums, Derek Di Perri on harmonica, Marcello Giannini on guitars, Pietro Santangelo on saxophone and Riccardo Villari on violin.Their self-titled debut from 2005 went rather unnoticed, released on Etnoworld label and having more of a jam sound, however they became more widely known after signing with Moonjune Records and coming up with a second album in 2009 entitled ''Hubris'', featuring female singer Ludovica Manzo.

Their sound is hard to compare, at moments it is close to contemporary Etnic/Jazz-Rock compatriots CAMEMBERT and CALOMITO or even 70's monster Napolitans NAPOLI CENTRALE, but definitely Slivovitz have a sound of their own.There are obvious influences from Ethnic Music coming from Balkan and African fields with long wind instrumental sections featuring violins and saxes along with some strong vibraphones, harmonica and percussion parts, always blended with some sort of MILE DAVIS' Electric Jazz parts, eventually to come up with moments of complete jazzy madness or calm waves of Lounge Jazz.As a mainly Jazz- oriented instrumental band, Slivovitz offer endless passages of improvisation and powerful guitar/sax/violin solos, some of them sound too abstract or experimental being on the weaker side of the listening, most of them though are really rich, powerful and intricate, often followed by smoother and more harmonic parts.Guitars are also a big part of Slivovitz'es style with some excellent hooks here and there. Not by any means a groundbreaking album, but a great listening definitely as it unfolds.

''Hubris'' ends up to be a really fantastic record for fans of Jazz-Rock mixed with ethnic influences, but any average Progressive Rock fan can spend some pleasant time listening to this fresh blend.Overall recommended.

Thanks to snobb for the artist addition. and to NotAProghead for the last updates

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