Novo have a rich musical pedigree, but they are looking forwards. The core of the band is brothers Simon and Nic Ashton aka Big Bossa, and their friend Steven Halliday of Agent Sumo (Virgin Records). Big Bossa’s two EPs and one album of sophisticated Latin funk on Viktor Records have been championed by Gilles Peterson and the nu-jazz scene, and by world music guru Charlie Gillett. Agent Sumo’s house tunes, from their own hit ‘Sunflowers’ to their remix of Supermen Lovers’ ‘Starlight’ have caused dancefloor mayhem worldwide. As Novo, however (appropriately given the meaning of the name) they are charting entirely new musical territories.
Novo’s Open EP - recorded in the PorQue Studios in Barcelona where Simon lives - is a wholly fresh hybrid of acoustic guitars, dreamy textures, electro-funk, edgy micro-edit electronickery and beautiful, ghostly ballads. Instrumental opener ‘Rock Box’ mixes weightless strings and gentle melodies with popping dancefloor electro beats. ‘More And More’, featuring Simone Balzama of electro-indie band Swirl, is a deep space torch song, rolling along on sparse liquid-sounding beats and a stuttering acoustic riff. The b-side tracks both feature Ayesha from Barcelona nu-jazz / lounge band Misnoma. Even though it is held together by a barely-there beat of crackles and clicks and a few shimmering, fizzing chords, ‘Shine’ still packs a powerful emotional punch thanks to rock-solid songwriting and a powerful vocal. Final track ‘Let Me Rain’ multitracks Ayesha’s vocals into a celestial choir, one moment gospel, the next like some lost golden age Hollywood soundtrack; blended with the sci-fi R&B beats and rich counterpoint of the synths, this adds up to a timeless piece of music.
All together, the tracks on ‘Open’ are a lethal statement of intent. A record that could only be made in the 21st century, but one that is shot through with history, experience and a deep respect for electronic production and real songwriting. Unlike so many ‘downtempo’ records it’s not about simply soothing or narcotic effects: there is an emotional power and natural funk at work here that makes you really want to *listen* to the tracks and even to move to them, and not just to drift away with them in the background. A record you can’t ignore.
Joe Muggs
(Joe Muggs reviews music for everyone from The Daily Telegraph, The Face to LittleDetroit.net.)
I'm doing my first ever SOLO gig at the FEMELEK festival (women and electronica) on the 9th of MARCH at 10pm sharp in the beautiful CONVENTO DE SANT AGUSTI (C/ Comercio 36), in the Borne in Barcelona.
Just a 40min set.. and this is a total one off experiment so don't miss me bearing all!! No, I'm not gonna get naked.. but bearing all my soul... and that's why the project is called "Nothing to Hide". After years learning the tech side of music making as well as writing my own songs and collaborating with many (not just MISNOMA) I have been given the chance to put my body of work together and have some fun. By no means is this a showcase of a finished product.. but more a demonstration of work in progress... and well, I think it's pretty good, fun, heartfelt and ground-breaking.. even if I say so myself! Using Ableton Live, I record loops into the computer live (bass, guitar and vocal layers) and then sing on top... a kind of acoustic funk, with driving melodies, etheral choirs and mad home-made percussion loops made by me and all my household objects (wine glasses, chopsticks, mouth percussion.. even my cat!) and then programmed beats to get your booties shaking..... experimental and fun but not so up my arse I've forgotten what makes pop good!
I've put up a new song on my page as a teaser..called Get up... have a listen and tell me what you think... and if you're in the area-come and see me!
Here is the press review in Spanish for those who need it!
Cantante del grupo electro-nu-jazz-mestizo MISNOMA, voz de la publicidad de Cordoniu estas Navidades, colaboradora en los grupos NOVO (folktrónica, BCN/Londres) y Acoustic Cuts Experiment (en Londres, junto a Max Wright de Ojos de Brujo), y con formación avanzada en música clásica, esta cantautora inglesa-argelina estrena su proyecto experimental en directo "Nothing to hide", haciendo lo que siempre ha querido hacer: trabajar con loops de voz, guitarra, bajo y percusión vocal, todo hecho por ella misma, y el maravilloso programa LIVE. Ayesha nos transporta a un mundo al que sólo ella puede conducir. Con toques de funk acústico, coros etéreos, folk étnico, ritmos a capella o sonidos grabados en su propia casa usando cualquier objeto que produzca un sonido agradable (tijeras, copas de vino, palillos, ¡incluso su gato!), crea un tapiz tan rico de texturas y colores vibrantes que te lo querrás llevar a casa. Arte Visual por VJ-Jo Thompson. (Ana Portoles - lecool Barcelona)
Hola, gracias por el request :)
haceis una musica maravillosa, me encantan las atmosferas que creais y la voz es preciosa, muy bonita musica, ha sido una sorpresa muy bella y especial,gracias 8)
encantado de saber de vosotros, os deseo lo mejor en vuestro camino, mucha suerte en todo.
Hello friends!
Your music sounds great, glad we got the chance to listen to it.
If you have the time, please pay a reciprocal visit to our page and listen to our tracks there or if you are interested, buy our debut album directly at CD baby, or you can at least listen to all the tracks of the album there.
Take good care of yourselves!!
Tons of love!!
/markus - dasbandt
Listen now!
