Following the release of last year’s superb 12inch for the Space Grapes label, and before that, their breakthrough 2022 debut recording Trasforma, the Italian jazz-funk trio Collettivo Immaginario returns with their highly-anticipated sophomore release for Domanda Music, titled Oltreoceano.

This is another impressive project led by label boss, drummer and producer Tommaso Cappellato, joined by Nicolò Masetto on electric bass, and Alberto Lincetto on rhodes, piano, and synths. Their latest offering features eight brilliant tracks that capture the golden age of 70’s cosmic fusion in the vein of legendary artists like Azymuth, Lonnie Liston Smith, Herbie Hancock and Hermeto Pascoal, along with Italian film music legends Piero Piccioni and Piero Umiliani while still pushing the sound forward. Oltreoceano sees the group really coming into their own, even so while writing and producing the music from a distance, with Cappellato now residing in Los Angeles.

The session also includes a number of notable guests, like vocalist Dwight Trible and saxophonist Isaiah Collier on the heavy spiritual groover “Vento Eterno”, Danilo Plessow(synths) and Chauncey Yearwood(congas) on the disco funk cut “Tempo Al Tempo”, vocalist Maylee Todd on the spaced-out “Alberoni”, and Mocky providing bass and vocals on the laid back sun-drenched “Fine Di Un’Era”.

When it comes to modern-day jazz-funk, it really doesn’t get any better, with sounds for both the dancefloor and a more intimate sonic listening experience. Great from start to finish, it’s safe to say that Oltreoceano is a strong contender for album of the year.

Collettivo Immaginario — ‘Oltreoceano’
(Domanda Music)

1. Tempo Al Tempo (feat. Danilo Plessow & Chauncey Yearwood)
2. Libra
3. Oltreoceano
4. Alberoni (feat. Maylee Todd)
5. Fine Di Un’Era (feat. Mocky)
6. Vento Eterno (feat. Dwight Trible & Isaiah Collier)
7. Sotto Il Mare
8. Sogno Lucido

BUY RECORD

• Jazz
• Jazz Dance
• Jazz Funk
• Jazz Fusion