Leo Pesci x Jackson Mathod ft: Moeazy - Power Clash (Single)
Naples-born, Peckham-based alt-jazz singer, songwriter and artist Leo Pesci and producer Jackson Mathod share their new single ‘Power Clash’, out everywhere on 29 September.
This is the first single taken from Leo Pesci’s forthcoming LP, ‘Impolite’ which is 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’ lyrically explores the fragility and strength of human will and features Leo on vocals and keys, Jackson Mathod on flugelhorn, synth and keys, Vincenzo De Fraia on bass and Moeazy on vocals. ‘Power Clash’ is also the first ever track produced by the London based trumpet player Jackson Mathod featuring Moeazy, an American rapper from Washington DC.
Speaking of the track, Leo says, “My message about the song is a bit related to my personal story, my brother’s one and to the story of all those people who try to make art in the western world where you fight against the pressure of Neo-liberalism that want you to be a number, to be obedient to the system, to get credit, and so on. And the struggle comes because artists need to survive and do random jobs on the side, sometimes deciding not to pursue a ‘career' just to share they vision of art to the world. Sometimes, they can’t even afford to share it or they have no tools and no reach because of the art market itself. Resilience and meritocracy are words that I don’t like, too western, too much on the side of capitalism but the message is resistance, love for what you do and acceptance for the outcome.”
Speaking of the track, Moeazy says, “This track, for me, is a way to depict colours that represent a new nation. Imagine you draw an outline of Russia’s flag as a paint splatter and you drew the UK’s flag as a paint splatter etc., and you show these nations and other nations ‘splattering’ together – the paint colours blending together - like power clashing…..but we want the power clash to be for the better.”
‘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, HipHop, Soul, Alternative R&B, Rap through which Leo addresses global current issues such as politics and corruption, climate change and overpopulation, capitalism and the misery it brings to society, but also toxic masculinity and relationships. The album features 15 different jazz/hip hop artists with the Moeazy as the first collaboration on ‘Power Clash’.