Claudio Corona releases debut full-length ‘Imagination Unlimited’
London-based keyboardist and producer Claudio Corona releases his new album Imagination Unlimited with the acclaimed Vintage League Music label.
The album is a collection of ten original compositions, all written, arranged and mixed by Claudio Corona in his Retrofonica studio. It features American producer Alan Evans on drums, best known as co-founder of legendary soul-funk band Soulive, the Grammy-nominated American drummer Adam Deitch from band Lettuce, and top musicians from UK and Europe.
Imagination Unlimited is a journey from classic 70s funk to cinematic grooves, blending a retro sound with a modern sensibility. It showcases strong performances, powerful arrangements, catchy riffs, evocative melodies, and elements of modern sound design. The album’s amalgam of funk, jazz, rock, and cinematic groove moves gracefully between genres, showcasing fabulous musicians and at times exploring genre-defying compositions with expansive improvisations atop a relentless groove.
Claudio’s distinctive signature Hammond Organ is always the core that glues everything together, displaying an unconditional love for legends such as Jack McDuff, John Medeski, Jon Lord, and wanting to explore further that fabulous stream of Hammond organ-infused music.
The first tune of the album, “Burn The House Down“, is an infectious 70s Hammond-funk groove where Claudio’s powerful performance meets Adam Deitch’s superb drumming. The distinctive signature Hammond organ solo conjures thoughts of Deep Purple’s keyboardist Jon Lord while Claudio’s left-hand bass and Adam’s drums are a relentless funky force. Subtle elements of sound design add a modern sensibility to the tune.
“Hittin’ The Strip” is an uptempo head-bopping funk classic, while “Bitter Honey” is a groovy track with a Medeski, Martin and Wood-inspired Hammond performance, and it features UK-based guitarist Paul Garner showcasing an epic guitar solo. “Top Hat” is a powerful up-tempo groove where echoes of bands such as Tower of Power and Lettuce, are fused with cinematic melodies. The tune features established British jazz flautist Gareth Lockrane with a superbly crafted solo.
“Glamourpuss“ is an exquisite in the pocket groove that transports the listener from late 70s funk vibes to cinematic groove ambiences. Alan Evans’ drumming and a pumping bass line set up a relentless funky force. Claudio’s addition of monophonic synths, on top of his fleet of vintage keys, brings echoes of Stevie Wonder’s sound while guitar motifs and rhythms take the tune into a cinematic groove journey.
“Devil’s Saddle” is a raw funk tune with a call-and-response part between Hammond organ and Wurlitzer piano whereas “Rattlesnake” is a fast high octane two-minute funk cut. “Siren’s Call” is a cinematic disco groove that displays powerful arrangements and evocative melodies, echoing Italian 70s movies’ soundtracks. The use of ethereal vocals reminds of Italian 70s movies’ soundtrack.
“Canaveral Moonstop” is a gritty Hammond organ track where funk, jazz and elements of sound design convey an obscure and moody atmosphere. And finally, titletrack “Imagination Unlimited” is a visionary composition where Claudio experiments with 50s American advertising vocal samples, alongside an ethereally beautiful female vocal-led chorus, all atop a relentlessly funky groove. Keyboard textures find their own space over a psychedelic arrangement that culminates in a catchy ‘sing-along’ chorus.
‘Imagination Unlimited’ out on CD / Digi on May 17th 2024 via Vintage League
