Words by Justin Turford

Italy has always been a hotbed of cinematic funk and library music grooves, perhaps the nation that merged funk, jazz and classical idioms the most when it came to soundtracking TV and film (especially in the golden era of independent auteurs in the 70s) and Lorenzo Morresi iis a worthy continuum of this modern tradition.

The Italian producer, musician and DJ is usually found working and collaborating between Milan and London. Driven by a strong passion for jazz, funk and disco, Lorenzo met Italian record producer and musician Luciano Cantone (aka ‘Le Isole’) many years ago. Luciano played Lorenzo some rare Italian library music gems that he was repressing; laying the first bricks of their mutual passion for this genre.

Soon after Lorenzo started producing music in that genre; combining jazz and funk grooves, Italian synth melodies and vintage electronic sounds. Last year, to much critical acclaim, he released the album ‘Cosmica Italiana’, made in collaboration with British multi-instrumentalist, producer and DJ Ed ‘Tenderlonious’ Cawthorne, and released via his record label 22a, one of the most respected contemporary jazz labels.

In March 2022 Lorenzo and Luciano started pre-producing ‘Pop Flop’ at Schema Records headquarters in Milan. Part of the album has also been produced at ‘Museo Del Synth Marchigiano & Italiano’, an incredible collection of rare Italian vintage synthesizers located in Le Marche region where Lorenzo was born.

The ten tracks on Pop Flop feature a virtuoso ensemble of musicians who help to deliver a stunning collection of groove based compositions. Funky quick-fire bass lines and killer Benson-esque guitar solos meet swaggering flute lines, warm pianos and abstract synth lines, to create an all together spaced out affair. The cinematic library sounds and blaxploitation funk of the 70’s meets 21st century electronica.

(Above: Lorrenzo Morresi & Le Isole ‘Pop Flop’ featuring Tenderlonious)

BUY / LISTEN HERE!