Whether it's the luscious all instrumental four-album `Seasons' cycle or bombastic classical- influenced rock-operas such as `The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' and its live interpretation `Alive in Theatre', Hostsonaten has always been the most purely symphonic project modern Italian progressive music icon Fabio Zuffanti is involved in, and he and his music collaborators here return in 2016 with `Symphony N. 1: Cupid and Psyche'. Zuffanti and his musical friends, including La Coscienza di Zeno's keyboardist Luca Scherani, Laura Marsano on classical and electric guitars, Paolo `Paolo' Tixi on drums and Danielle Sollo on fretted and fretless bass, are backed up by multi- member brass and woodwind sections as well as a string quartet, and without a doubt they've delivered one of the most proudly grandiose, extravagant and bombastic symphonic Italian works of the year!
Featuring musical guests such as Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, Dave Holland, Nguyên Lê and more. Street of Minarets continues to spotlight Dhafer's seamless ability to build a bridge between Indian, Arabic, and Western classical and jazz music.
On this album, Street of Minarets, Dhafer offers a gift for the dreamers, the lovers, the fighters, and the obscure. What was once an unfinished project that he felt was missing the soul his music usually has, overcoming obstacles of anxiety and vocal surgery during the pandemic would go on to rekindle his eternal love of music and provide him with the motivation he needed to rewrite and rearrange the record. The result is a relatable journey of sufferings and successes, ultimately spotlighting Dhafer’s inspiring resilience.
Recorded in Nashville, Tenn. , and produced by four-time Grammy winner Keb' Mo', the blues influenced album features guest appearances from Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Robben Ford and Keb' Mo'. A trending theme in today's world is women overcoming obstacles and breaking through the glass ceilings to reach the top. 'Like It On Top' celebrates those that take initiative, develop, inspire and motivate. But it also credits the men who are motivated and enlightened enough to support women in their quest to be their best versions of themselves.