Dualism by Nādt Orchestra

Established in Bologna in 2020, Nādt Orchestra is made up of eight young and talented musicians. Their music is a crossroads of styles and influences: a mix that combines the language of jazz with elements from different musical traditions, from Africa to Central America to the Middle East, without fearing explorations into electronic soundscapes. Under the driving force of guitarist Domenico Romano, over the past few years the band has developed a versatile and modern musical language, shaping the tracks that make up their debut album, "Dualism".

The collective's name is inspired by the Sanskrit term nādt, which denotes the subtle channels through which prāṇa, the vital energy, flows: these are not physical entities such as nerves, but rather a kind of ‘energy network’ that, according to yogic tradition, influences one's physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Sanskrit texts on yoga state that there are fourteen major nādt and hundreds of thousands of minor nādt in the human body.

Nādt Orchestra, guided by the masterful production of Tommaso Colliva (Muse, Calibro 35), brings "Dualism" to life, creating a sonic universe rich in contrasts and nuances, where evocative melodies, African and South American rhythms, and electronic textures come together in a surprising harmony. The Italian producer, winner of a Grammy Award for Drones (Muse), said: ‘There are few things as exciting as listening to nine human beings interacting in the same room at the same time. It used to be the norm, but nowadays it's becoming more and more of a rarity, an exception, almost a kind of magic. That's what this record was about: trying to capture the wonder created by these young musicians weaving together intriguing musical languages.’

"Dualism" is a hypnotic musical journey that explores duality in all its forms, blending light and darkness, energy and melancholy, tradition and innovation. Inspired by the diverse backgrounds of the band members, it aims to break genre boundaries and create a dynamic and distinctive soundscape. The album invites reflection on the complexities of human existence, showing the disintegration and rebirth of traditional ideas. It emphasises the balance between opposites, where dualism is not an opposition, but a fundamental condition of reality. The title track unmistakably sums up this idea of harmony and circularity. The repetitive sax motif in the opening, accompanied by a layered brass section, introduces an explosion of strings that gives way later on to a reflective piano interlude: this apparent moment of tranquillity sets the stage for the return of the opening themes, which reappear with even greater force and intensity.

The record is enriched by the presence of major figures in contemporary jazz such as Gianluca Petrella and Pasquale Mirra. In "Koko", the Afro-Cuban percussion interacts with Petrella's trombone, building towards a crescendo where the surfacing of the other instruments shifts the focus in each instance to either the rhythmic progression or to the guest musician's contributions.

Mirra's vibraphone - accompanied in "Eggun" by another guest, double bass player Alberto Brutti - adds to the subtle, almost palpable tension that defines this composition and gradually builds throughout the piece: the free flow, anchored by the constant and hypnotic pulse of the Batá drums, evokes the power of a ritual ceremony. More playful and groove-centric moments also feature, as in "Spiral" and "Elephant", where Nādt Orchestra crafts magnetic rhythms and sweeping melodic lines and explores sonic territories close to the modern afrobeat of Ezra Collective and the tropical influences of Brazilian group Iconili. In "Sewa", the soaring voice of the Burkinabé griotte Kadi Coulibaly closes the album with notes of joy and hope: the lyrics, sung in Bambara, illustrate the profound meaning of this word, which evokes a feeling of shared happiness.

While keeping their roots firmly in the groove of the jazz tradition, much like esteemed contemporaries such as Badbadnotgood and Alfa Mist, the Bologna-based band plays with languages and genres, resisting easy categorisation. "Dualism" is an invitation to plunge into the depths of the human soul, to embrace contradictions and uncover the beauty and the potential for new balance that emerges from conflict.

The project receives the support of the Emilia-Romagna Region under the music law L.R. 2/2018 and the contribution of NUOVO IMAIE.

Made up of eight young and talented musicians, Nādt Orchestra was founded in Bologna in 2020. Nādt Orchestra's sound is a journey between tradition and innovation, where different genres converge and intertwine, giving life to a dynamic, ever-evolving sound.

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