Leo Pesci - Impolite (Album) + 10 Questions
Picture Credit: Amy Lauffer Neff
Following the release of the album’s debut single ‘Power Clash’, which received high praise from the likes of COLORS, Wordplay Magazine, Tonspion and many more, Naples-born, Peckham-based alt-jazz singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Leo Pesci announces the release of his highly anticipated album IMPOLITE, out now on Ramrock Red Records.
Inspired by the latest works of Los Angeles hip hop-jazz/soul artists and producers like Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, Thundercat and Kendrick Lamar, ‘Power Clash’ acts as the perfect taster for Leo’s upcoming new album which aims to transcend the limitations of genre and speak out on matters that are difficult to swallow.
His first new music since the release of his EP ‘Community’ (2021) - which featured well-known artists of the London jazz scene like Jas Kayser, Ella Knight, Nicola Guida, Johnny Woodham, Simon JNR, Dani Diodato and others - IMPOLITE is a musical journey into Jazz, Hip Hop, Soul, Alternative R&B, Rap. The album features 15 different jazz/hip hop artists with the Moeazy as the first collaboration on ‘Power Clash’.
The IMPOLITE artwork, designed by architect and street artist Julian Corgan, depicts the story of the Pruitt-Igoe Housing Complex in St. Louis, a post-2nd World War housing project which represented one of the earliest failures of neoliberalism, incapable of attending to the needs of the working class. In tracks like ‘Nuffin’ Left But Crumbs’, ‘Evry1’s Theory’ and ‘Nu-st8’, Leo talks about the issues of our times: politics and corruption, inequality and racism, capitalism and the misery it brings to society.
Leo explains: ‘When I spoke about my project to Julian and he came with the idea of the Pruitt-Igoe and its demolition, I was astonished by its affinity with the content of the album. Although the story could be mainly remembered as the failure of modern architecture and council housing, there is a deep meaning of segregation and beyond that, the first sign that capitalism purposely created poverty to feed the pockets of big companies. On the other side, overpopulation, underfunding of education and healthcare, western idea of meritocracy, housing crisis, climate change are all signs that our society is going nowhere and we need to think - and talk - about new ways to address these issues.”
However, IMPOLITE is not just about social criticism. The album also explores toxic masculinity in ‘Soprano’s Theme’, modern relationships in ‘Betta Now’, which tells the drama of a couple discussing polygamy. ‘Dario’s Pummarola’ presents a mix of UK jazz tradition and ‘Italianity’, a hymn to Leo’s roots, and of his drummer Dario Scotti, born and raised in the UK with an Italian dad.
Leo says: ‘We were in the studio at the end of the main recording session, I asked Dario to record the first drum beat he had in mind. The day after, I’m at home and I’m already building a track on that, imagining who could be featured as the main artist. A few days later, I saw an instagram post from John Swana, a legend of American jazz who has played with Miles Davis and Christian McBride. In the post he’s in his car with this EVI – electronic valve instrument – doing crazy stuff at crazy speed. I messaged him straight away and I’m very happy to have him as part of this project.”
IMPOLITE features a long list of artists: Jackson Mathod, John Swana, Jay Phelps, Dylan Jones, Dani Diodato, Louis Nelson, Tendayi, Gabriele Pribetti, Vincenzo De Fraia, Saint, Ben Vize, Dario Scotti, Moeazy, Alias, Vittorio De Angelis and has bee co-produced by Vincenzo De Fraia, Saint and Leo Pesci himself.
On IMPOLITE, Leo presents a truly collaborative piece of art which is boundless in its take on genre and lyrical themes. It effortlessly fuses his Italian roots with his love of Peckham - where he now calls home. With a string of high-profile remixes in the works, 2023 and 2024 show no signs of slowing down for the multi-faceted artist. Watch this space.
Leo Pesci sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
My dad was a musician and my grandpa a music lover so I grew up listening to all sorts of music, from Stevie Wonder to Frank Sinatra, from Pino Daniele to Bill Evans, from Michael Jackson to Roberto Murolo (traditional neapolitan folk) and many others. Then, when I was a bit older I grew an interest for traditional jazz - I started listening many jazz trumpet players and their bands like Freddie Hubbard, Chet Baker, Lee Morgan, Clifford Brown and of course my fav, Roy Hargrove, the one who could mix the jazz tradition with Hip Hop, Soul and R&B.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
When I moved to London I started listening to UK jazz - artists like Yussef Dayes, Ashley Henry, Joe Harmon Jones, etc. - and my taste towards jazz music changed a lot. There was one album that changed my mind and influenced my musical expression and it was Black Focus by Yussef and Kamaal Williams. I was actually introduced to that album from my brother Dani Diodato (Arlo Parks) in 2016 while I was living in Argentina, South America. I was living the life in that time - or at least I thought I was lol - so the album brings me to a beautiful place anytime I listen to it. So I’ll definitely say that I’d love to collaborate with Mr.Yussef Dayes one day. Maybe he’ll listen to IMPOLITE, who knows.
3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?
I’m working on a project to bring the UK nu jazz vibe to Italy, but righting down lyrics in Italian and Napolitan. I’m very curious to know how listeners would react to that.
And I have a lot of other projects but I won’t disclose just yet!
4. How would you describe your sound?
A mix salad of Modern Jazz, Soul, HipHop, Funk and Italian and Napolitan Folklore.
5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
Releasing IMPOLITE has been definitely my proudest moment for all that IMPOLITE involves with it. In my previous EPs (‘Leo Pesci’ in 2020 and ‘Community’ in 2021) I was obsessed with fitting into the scene, being considered by listeners and people from the industry (DJs, curators, promoters, etc.). It meant that I wasn’t really free to be myself and to write what I wanted to say. With IMPOLITE I felt free to do that and I’m proud as f***!
Picture Credit: Amy Lauffer Neff
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
Just love what you do and HUSTLE. Art is not different from any other career you can pursue, the more you sow your seeds the more you’ll get.
7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?
I’m constantly on the search for new independent artists. I have a few names and in the future I’d love to collaborate with these peeps: Charlie Stacey, Corto Alto, Allysha Joy, Yakul, Yoni Mayraz.
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
Solar Music of Butcher Brown and of course, Black Classical Music of my dear Yussef Dayes.
9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?
I love cooking, it relaxes me a lot.
10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?
People I trust, coffee and my i-pad (in case I need to record something and I don’t remember my lyrics, as always!)