Kassin+2 reviewed
Kassin+2
Futurismo
(Luaka Bop)
Built upon the trio of Kassin, Domenico Lancellotti, and Moreno Veloso (the series’ first volume was by Moreno+2, the second by Domenico+2) Futurismo has a bossa nova backbone (not unlike pioneers Caetano Veloso or even Os Mutantes), but forces some not-too-subtle rearrangements that don’t ultimately redefine Brazilian terminology, but that generalistic perjorative “world music.”
Nowhere is this more obvious than “Ponto Final,” which eyes N.E.R.D.’s “Lapdance” while shaking its hairy mop to a loose-knit stuttering drum part with the mischief of a half-serious beach seance. After Futurismo struggles to free from its opening shackles, the track seems to point the way further into the darkness. “Homem Ao Mar” trashes the party completely with soaking surf rock, layers of reverb cascading over a sinister reggae bassline. The High Llamas’ Sean O’Hagan and Tortoise’s John McEntire also guest, but the gringos are too late to save the environment.
— Steve Forstneger
