Cemento Atlantico is the work of Italian DJ/producer Alessandro Zoffoli and Dromomania is his new electronic album of propulsive beats and perfectly placed samples all inspired by field recordings that are the starting point for Zoffoli’s work. There is a slightly darker edge to previous albums as it was born out of the global pandemic.
Zoffoli says, “The pandemic made me open my eyes to many aspects. In fact, I believe that the pandemic was the only crisis in history that did not give rise to a cultural revolution, but fueled ignorance and conflicts. In many situations the worst side of humanity has emerged, so I wanted to treat my productions with a less “chill” attitude.“
Despite having to remain in one location Zoffoli has created an album that spans the globe on a musical journey that takes in Thailand, India, Bulgaria, Mexico, Andalusia, Romagna, Colombia, Nicaragua and Panama. The title Dromomania means the uncontrollable urge to walk or wander, also known as the ‘travelling fugue’. That sense of movement is writ large throughout the album with driving 4/4 beats and bursts of drum and bass on tracks like ‘El que puede hablar’ also surrounded by glittering percussion on tracks like ‘Danza negra’ and ‘Tablao’.
Voices echo and resound; always used to great effect, such as the opening voiceover from a vintage travel documentary on ‘Garawek khaos’ about “happy, friendly Siamese people” which is followed by treated vocals that haunt the rest of the song. Reverb, judder and repetition add an edgy quality to voices, and the low growling narration on ‘Via Pablo Neruda’ (Neruda was a Chilean poet-diplomat and politician who won the 1971 Nobel Prize in Literature) works so well as musical stabs are timed to land with certain syllables. The ghostly mariachi voice on ‘Tablao’ was a particular highlight for me.
The album is an exceptional audio travelogue that is vibrant and alive with rhythm and humanity and, despite the darker nature of its inspiration, I believe Zoffoli still manages to infuse optimism into the music. Dromomania puts the wonder into wanderlust.
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Review by Paul F Cook
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