THE LATIN PROJECTTaking notes from such successful interpreters of the blend of South American and Western sound as Jazzanova, Incognito and Masters At Work, The Latin Project owe as much to those entities as they do to the classic works of Milton Nascimento and Sergio Mendez. On their debut artist album Nueva Musica, The Latin Project English natives Jez Colin and Matt Cooper--exercise their knowledge of underground, cutting edge dance music, while enhancing it with organic components such as warm vocals and traditional musicians.
Inspired by a genre that is dominated by beat and club aesthetics, but lacking in musical sophistication, Matt and Jez pooled their wealth of musical expertise to start The Latin Project. "We wanted to blend some of our favorite established Latin musicians with the most up-to-date electronic production", says Jez. Weve always been fans of Latin music, adds Matt. Not just restricted to the dance floor, but crossing over to something you can listen to at home as well as dance to: a contemporary record with songs and performances. We tried to do something with all those elements.
This formula has proven to be successful not only in terms of critical acclaim, but with rewards like their 2005 Grammy nominated single (Masters At Work, Remixers)for remix of the year, and their IDMA 2005 award for Best Latin Dance Track(Musica De Amor, featuring Debi Nova)
Meeting in 1996, Jez and Matt started working on The Latin Project in 1998. Both co-produced and wrote material for the project, with Matt adding keyboards and drums. A multi-talented musician, producer, writer, remixer and programmer, Jez co-founded in 1993 the groundbreaking acid jazz group The Solsonics for whom he played bass. In 1995, the Solsonics hit the road as a supporting act on the Queen Latifah tour with the Fugees.
After they disbanded in 1997, Jez relocated to Los Angeles and turned his attentions studio-ward. Among his credits are remixes for Maxwell, Sade, Stevie Wonder, Joel and Bjork.
Living in London, Matt has been working under the guise of Outside, producing five albums on UK label Dorado Records. His standout single To Forgive But Not Forget--affectionately known as the jungle track with the mad violin, a mini-anthem of sorts--has been featured on numerous compilations. Additionally, he has worked on all D*Note albums, co-produced and written for forward-thinking jazz greats Incognito on their new album, which also boasts India Arie, Paul Weller and Terry Callier. Matt recently completed a Southeast Asian tour with Incognito.
The collaboration that grew into Nueva Musica began initially with Brazilian multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Junno Homrich (whose credits include the Emerald Forest soundtrack) and another Brazilian singer, Katia Moraes, of the band Sambaguru. The first Latin Project single En Fuego--a UK garage inspired flamenco styled number, part Basement Jaxx, part Gypsy Kings, with a remix from Nickodemus and Osiris--was released on Giant Step Records summer of 2001 to enthusiastic response. Encouraged by the interest En Fuego had created, Jez and Matt began pursuing the idea of a full-length Latin Project album. Over three years of international travel between Los Angeles, London and Rio resulted in a deeply personal expression of The Latin Projects attempt to explore the limits of Latin-based music.
Jez and Matt selected collaborators for Nueva Musica carefully and thoughtfully; among these are Freddie Crespo, erstwhile percussionist and vocalist for Tito Puente, on Lei Lo Lai, which also features Robbie Nevils inimitable guitar touch. Marc Antione, a master of the Flamenco guitar, plays on En Fuego. Joel Virgel, a West Indian via Paris vocalist/percussionist sings on Universal and Brazilian Love Affair, the latter a cover of a 1980 George Duke tune, which features him and Katia in improvisational mode. Joel and Katia reunite again on songs Clouds, a journey from a rainforest to the Carnival and Sonhando (translated to dreaming in Portuguese). Peruvian singer Violetta Villacortas haunting vocals permeate Estoy, bolstered by the dub-heavy effects of Andreas Allen. Additionally, Terrence Trent DArby, under the guise of Sananda (Jez mixed and did production for his current album, Wildcard), collaborated in the writing of the track Windows, a dance cut featuring a piano montuno. Nueva Musica ends on the spiritual high of Rio Negro, a voyage of discovery down the Black River.
Debi Nova, a Costa Rican artist known for her work with Sean Paul and Sergio Mendez also collaborated with The Latin Project as featured vocalist on "Musica De Amor", and is currently working on her own solo record.
Jez and Matt are currently working on a NEW LATIN PROJECT L.P, scheduled for release at the end of 2006. They have also been busy over the last year remixing for various artists including Bebel Gilberto, Jill Scott, Incognito, Angelique Kidjo and Yello
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