UPFRONTBEATS

In a much anticipated return, one of the scene’s most esteemed producers Davide Squillace is back with a ten track album. To be released on Crosstown Rebels this March, Once Upon A Time In Napoli provides an eclectic range of both hard-hitting and introspective productions. This release paves the way for an exciting year ahead with several more releases in the pipeline.

Prepare to be immediately drawn into the album with effervescent opening track, The Boogie Man. Exploring a range of wooden percussion, Squillace layers up with distant chord synthesis, statement vocal and a sturdy kick. In The Mood For Love follows with an array of drum pad beats developing gradually into an anticipated second drop littered with claps and sitar-esque melodies. Distorted vocals and incredible percussion, provided by Italian drum guru Paki Palmieri, form the basis of Dada Is Back. Fourth track on the album, Napoli Texas, opens with a delicate symbol and floundering bassline. An excellent example of the renowned producer’s dancefloor filling production. Chock-full of wildlife samples, Noah is a thirteen minute cosmos of indigenous experimentation.

”Once upon a Time in Napoli’ is the story of my twenty years in dance music. The album covers the many textures of this journey, with influences of the early days in Naples to my Circoloco residency in Ibiza. Ranging from the warmth of classic analogue synths to the crisp precision of digital beats’ – Davide Squillace.

The second half of the album starts off with a solid kick, How We Communicate has an otherworldly feel with gnarled vocals and energetic snares. Carrying on the lively vibe, Vostok isn’t for the fainthearted. Squillace incorporates filthy bass, mad klaxons, cowbells and a whole heap of variety into this exorbitant tune. Onto a slightly more minimal approach, Iron Odyseey is an exploration of sounds from dainty triangles to supernatural sounding samples. The gradual nature of Holy Motors leaves the listener hankering for more. Closing on a high, the final song of the album, The Sin Introducing Telemaco, is a majestic chill out track laced with a subtle melancholy.

Originally from Naples, Davide Squillace has cemented his position as a renowned DJ/Producer since first appearing on the scene back in 2004. A resident of iconic Ibiza institution Circoloco for over ten years, more recently Squillace can be found touring with Matthias Tanzmann and Martin Buttrich as one third of Better Lost Than Stupid. Well-known for his exceptional ability to pair music with visual arts, his ‘artistic think tank’ and record label This And That Lab has provided a number of creatives with a much-needed production outlet, often calling on them for the likes of cover art. The album launches a massive year for Squillace and will be released on DLP and digital download.

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