The seeds of the uniquely fluid, silky and soulful smooth jazz duo Urbanity were planted narly 30 years ago when guitarist Albert Dadon (aka “Albare”), the pioneer of the acid jazz genre in Australia in the late 80s, recruited young pianist Phil Turcio for his band at the time.
For the past few years, Albare (a Latin Jazz nominated producer) and Turcio (also a Grammy nominee) have been doing melodic, light funk business as Urbanity. With simmering blues beds, jazz licks, easy rolling grooves and tight R&B pockets driving them forward, the duo follow their successful full length debut Urban Soul with a fresh, inviting free flowing self-titled set featuring nine engaging, gorgeously played originals and a gently rhythmic, deeply intimate and slightly bluesy re-imagining of the Eagles classic ballad “Desperado.”
Complementing the general radio friendliness of most of the tracks is “The Hymn,” the lush, gentle closer that takes the bold duality of their guitar and piano to transcendent spiritual levels.