aura safari: island dreams
Francisco Espregueira
Italian DJ and production collective Aura Safari return like a pleasant a summer breeze with their sophomore album, Island Dreams, released by Hell Yeah Recordings. This vibrant record offers a sun-soaked journey through Mediterranean nights, showcasing the group's musical prowess and eclectic tastes. Comprising Andrea Moretti, Lorenzo Lavoratori, Daniele Melloni, Nicholas Iammatteo, Lorenzo Francioli, Ruggero Bonucci, and Nicola Pitassio, Aura Safari's collective talent shines as they effortlessly switch between drums, percussion, bass, keys, and guitar.
Influenced by their experiences at the Umbria Jazz Festival and legendary Red Zone Club, their music exudes charm and is rooted in an array of genres, from Afro to Italo, house to disco, and 80s boogie to world music. The album takes listeners on an enchanting journey across four vinyl sides, starting with the steamy Mediterranean grooves of the title track, followed by disco-infused "Sur Mon Balconnet," and the new-age jazz house of "Riserva Naturale." Other highlights include the lo-fi funk excursion of "Wave Riding," the vibrant Afro-pop of "Dancing in the Moonlight" featuring Zeke Manyika, and the scuffed-up Dam-Funk-inspired beats of "Disco Mantra." Overall, Island Dreams is a kind of a ticket to a world of fusion sounds, a feel-good record for tropical escapes and dancefloor adventures under the moonlight. Available on vinyl, courtesy of Hell Yeah Recordings.