Gizmo Varillas - Out of the Darkness (2020)

The songs on Out Of The Darkness mostly deal with how one can create hope despite all adversities in life and overcome them with optimism. Gizmo's thoughts and considerations about setbacks and failures may be largely personal in nature, but now, contrary to expectations, hit the nerve with the times. In line with his transformative approach, Gizmo left the familiarity and independence of his home studio and upgraded to the legendary RAK Studios in London. There he worked with bassist Mike Kenna, drummer Jesper Lind, Rob Lewis, who arranged and played the strings, and one of his heroes, the recently deceased legendary Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen, the musical director of Fela Kutis Afrika 70, and was a fundamental part of The Good, The Bad & The Queen. They combine styles from around the world and then expand their horizons excitingly. This is how he manages to make an album that is both funky and epic, but never disconnected. He clearly underlines how distinctive his music-making really is. As if he meets a collective need for an uplifting and empowering message, OUT OF THE DARKNESS could not come at a better time and for many is the soundtrack of the journey to the other side. SHARE SOME LOVE.