Nicola Conte & Spiritual Galaxy: Let Your Light Shine On

Nicola Conte is an Italian musician known for his seductive mix of acid jazz and bossa nova. Available in vinyl, CD, or download form, his latest release finds him performing groove-oriented spiritual jazz (think Lonnie Liston Smith or the Strata East label) in the company of African, European, and American musicians. With song titles like “Cosmic Peace,” “Mystic Revelation of the Gods,” “Space Dimensions,” and “Essence of the Sun,” you might expect the record to sound cosmic—and while the music does have a mystical vibe, it will also engage your lower chakras thanks to a rhythm section that includes, along with various percussionists, Tumi Mogorossi on drums and Luca Alemanno on bass. Saxophonists Logan Richardson and Magnus Lindgren, trombonist Gianluca Petrella, and trumpeter Theo Croker dish up lively horn charts and fiery solos. But it’s the singers—Bridgette Amofah, Carolina Bubbico, Zara McFarlane, and Zoe Modica—who really bring it home, soulfully delivering uplifting lyrics that unify rather than divide. Also inspiring: along with reissuing numerous titles, the relaunched MPS label has been releasing new music, and Let Your Light Shine On helps ensure their legacy will continue to grow.