"Lisbon became both my studio and my muse." Andrea Mangia AKA Populous hails from Lecce, a small city dubbed "Italy's Jamaica" due to its infatuation w/ reggae & dancehall. Mangia released Quipo in 2003 and Que For Love two years later, and both are works influenced by reggae/hip-hop and the surroundings the producer found himself in. Fast forward to now, here is the latest offering from the global music lover, and he once again "seamlessly blends digital sounds with the analog warmth," in addition to letting Lisbon and South American sounds (he dug through flea markets for records to sample, mostly Portuguese and South American) shape his productions. Dramatic, melancholic, and rhythmic, the tracks on Azulejos transcend borders and provide a "dreamy quilt" of sonics you can dance and/or listen to through headphones. Highlights include: "Azul Oro," "Alfama," "Alala," "Crue," and the title track.

• music label: Wonderwheel Recordings 2017

reviewed by nakinboots 06/2017