Did you know that there’s a tunnel between Oakland and the Amalfi coast?
Justin Pinkerton, a magician with many hats between drumming for Stoner Rockers Golden Void and composing music for high profile commercial campaigns, has been aware of this portal for a while. Now the Danish label El Paraiso Records has released his already third album inspired by crossing it, a cruising rebel on a Vespa, relishing the warm light of the setting sun.
With his connection to the San Diego psychedelic scene around bands like Earthless it would certainly be an easy excercise for the multi-instrumentalist to gather a horde of talented musicians for a project. On the other hand he surely has all the tools he needs to realize his very particular vision in his own hands, so Futuropaco remains a strict one man mission.
By far not the only, but one very prominent feature of the Futuropaco sound is the blend of Psychedelic Californian Surf Rock vibes with 60’s/70’s style Italian Library Music, which generally seems a little underappreciated in modern music, even though mildly pouring Mediterranean cinema atmosphere over your Kraut or Jazz is such a potent recipe. Personally I find it very hard not to immediately fall in love with groups like the Misha Panfilov Sound Combo, who utilize this combination.
So admittedly Futuropaco already has me there, before I can even start to list all the other selling points of these addictive instrumentals. First of all the sonic colour palette of analogue synths, electric and acoustic guitars, flutes, Anatolian string instruments and who knows what else is just super tasteful. Between beautiful melodic layering and a healthy amount of fuzz the production feels extremely vivid and organic. “Glass Fortress” never sounds like a lonely nerd in his lightless basement studio, but always like a full joyously performing band, especially since Pinkerton makes no secret of being a drummer. The percussion is confidently up and front, grooving in Can-inspired Jazz Rock mastery, very elaborate but also safely in the pocket at the same time. The head who doesn’t bop to the beat here is not connected to a soul!
So let me try to summarize at least the most important ingredients once more: Funk, Stoner Rock, Fusion and a surfboard evading sharks from the American West Coast, German Psych, mixed little Folk seasonsings from all around the world and of course everything Italo: Schlager, Morricone’s spaghetti, Goblin’s horror, having Sunday dinner with your Mob in-laws and bathing your feet in the blue lagoon after fighting the system in the streets. All you need to feel alive for one memorable summer, right?
Fortezza Di Vetro Vol. 2 is a dangeroulsy addictive album, but that shouldn’t worry you. Because in case these forty minutes are just not enough, there’s always Volume 1 or the self-titled Futoropaco debut from 2018 to draw on. The main thing is that you pay Justin the protection money he deserves - and please forgive me for all the horrible stereotypes that form the cement foundation of this review!
