Grand Pianoramax: "Past Forward"
After a four year break, keyboardist Leo Tardin strikes again with his Grand Pianoramax project and presents « P a s t Forward ». This new 7-track EP, both danceable and at times impressionistic, revives the aesthetics of the early acid-jazz productions of the group’s beginnings.
In his trademark keyboard-drums duo format with longtime partner Dom Burkhalter, Leo Tardin also invites the voices of Swiss vocalists Gaspard Sommer and Angelo Powers. These new collaborations bring a neo-soul direction to the three songs featured on Past Forward, which contrast with the rap and spoken words of Grand Pianoramax’s previous vocal productions. Back to basics It was time for Grand Pianoramax to resurface. After the success of « Soundwave » (2015) and a series of international concerts, from New York and Tokyo to Istanbul over two years, the group needed a break. Leo Tardin notably focused on his solo piano project with the release of « Collection » (2018). It was during a stay in Indonesia, carefree and without pressure, that the Genevan felt the need to put his group back on track, and to return to its fundamentals, that is nu-jazz instrumentals with syncopated rhythms. As he was plotting this comeback, an image resurfaced in Leo Tardin's mind. That of a retro-futuristic calligraphy of Grand Pianoramax, created four years before by an unknown graphic designer based in Russia and fan of the group, randomly discovered on Instagram. It only felt natural that it would be featured on the artwork of « Past Forward ».
On the creative process Leo Tardin explains «I thought the best way to capture this return to the innovative spirit of an era, adding current ingredients to it, would be to call it something like 'Back to the Future'. But obviously this famous title was already taken.»
Ideas, melodies and an overall drive to create for this project returned fast. Leo Tardin sent the first demos to Dom Burkhalter, drummer, co-author and coproducer of the project since 2008, and based near Zürich. Covid-19 forced the duo to work entirely remotely and to craft “Past Forward” from their respective home studios. In-person meetings with vocal guests Gaspard Sommer and Angelo Powers also had to be be virtual. This brought an orientation towards singing into the project, a little explored path until now by Grand Pianoramax, since past collaborations, notably with Black Cracker, initially centered around spoken word and rap.
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