London, 2021

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Dardust, a portmanteau for David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust, Dust Brothers aka Chemical Brothers and Dario Faini, is an ensemble composed of Carmelo Emanuele Patti, Simone Sitta, Simone Giorgini, Vanni Casagrande and the founder Dario Faini, which aims at merging the worlds of classical music and electronic music. 7, released in 2015 — a little late to the party for a review —, is the first of a geographical project trilogy that expresses the influences and origins of Dardust. This first album focuses on Berlin and also endorses a numerical meaning; from the number of its pieces and the amount of days and months for the recording and production of the album, all revolving around the number seven. 

 

7 almost starts as a reference to Strauss and Kubrick’s 2001 with “Un nuovo inizio a Neukölln”; a piece that develops on an ascending and descending arpeggio, slowly unfolding strings, percussions and bass synth, and ultimately ending in an epic pulsating electronically infused track. A recurring approach throughout the whole of the album. “Sunset on M.” takes a similar perspective, transitioning from acoustic to electronic through episodes and the thematic development of a single musical idea. In a frenetic pace yet full of grace, “Sommergibile in Aria” describes quite well the intentions of Dardust; to obtain a sound that is both heavy and intense, yet light and delicate. The piece fades delicately into “In the Clouds”, at times dreamy, shiny and rainy. “Invisibile ai tuoi occhi” is a contrasting piece that leans towards melancholy, and uses electronic textures in order to complement rather than drive. Some of the finest work of 7 can be heard in “Angoli di ieri”, a piece which takes a break from electronic sounds and returns to piano and strings. Finally, “Enjoy the Light” surfs on a similar wave to its predecessors, painting a shining soundtrack and concluding on an almost electronic pop note.Three acoustic versions close 7 by providing the listener with an insight on how the pieces might have been when created; a sort of backstage view of the genesis of the project. 

 

This work was part of a selection of INRI’s finest works and came as a serendipity. Fusing electronic and classical music — post-minimalism — is very common these days, and does not come much as a surprise anymore. But not the way Dardust does it. Rather than using electronic instruments to compose classical music, the ensemble shocks both genres, and creates the encounter of two worlds; the one of excitement, crowd, energy and the one of quietness, loneliness and reflection; A sonic space journey. Since 7, a second opus has been released, Birth, focusing on Reykjavík and a number three, for London, concluding the trilogy is on the line.