(Sept. 3) – “I tried for years to reach that America, that I only heard in the CDs. Now I found it. My music is a fusion but its own identity. I wanted to re-interpretate a genre that has its roots in the typical sounds of the Afro-American populations, and I added some of me, some of the Italian touch that makes the difference.” Luca Sapio is a sincere and deep soul-music fan, and one of the best white vocalist in the contemporary soul scene. Born 38 years ago in Sora, in the province of Frosinone, and grew up in Rome, today he defines himself as a “citizen of the world “. He built his passion for this musical style thanks to his dad, a great vinyl collectionist. The confirmation that anyone who says Luca Sapio says a great talent comes from the success of his debut album “Who Knows” (in heavy rotation in European radio and accompanied by a series of extraordinary reviews), from the appreciation received in the United States (the song “How Did We Lose It” was single of the week on I-tunes and ended up in the playlist of the David Letterman Show) and from the success of his sold out concerts in Austria, Switzerland and Germany, culminating with a performance as a guest star at the Harald Schmidt Show, the historic German TV show on Saturday night. Luca Sapio surprises and convinces : “How Did We Lose It” could be a song by Bill Whiters or early Isley Brothers. No one would say that he is an Italian and more a white singer. ” My origin comes out often. My references are the great film composers, such Ennio Morricone and Piero Piccioni.” Now Sapio – which in the past has recorded albums with various bands (The Accelerators, The Black Friday, Quintorigo ) – is ready to present the songs from his “Who Knows” in London, along with the Capiozzo & Mecco Band: on September 5th will at the Upper West, on 7th at The Islington. “Mine is a sincere and a vintage feel. Not a nod to fashion and not pretentious. I waited to release my first solo album at 37 because I wanted to reach the right maturity and stylistic identity . I wanted to feel ready and now, more than ever, I believe that the wait has been rewarded.” The nine original songs on the album evoke the classic sound of the 60’s blues: brass, Motown grooves and vintage organs. “You can not sing soul without living the blues,” says the musician quoting Memphis Slim. And so i did. Sapio has spent most of his life working, singing and traveling across the United States, collaborating with international artists as Eumir Deodato, Tony Scott, David White and Juliette Lewis, and opening for Paul Weller and Sharon Jones. New paths await Sapio, that after London will leave for his tour in Germany: “I’m already working on my second album,” say the Italian artist, “and it will be released next spring.” Sapio met many Italians abroad: “I’m pleased but it makes me a little sad at the same time. There are too many talents who have left Italy looking for fortune. I know it is not easy for them, I know they made a big decision. But we always have believe in our dreams and be determined,” he concludes. Meanwhile, Sapio’s American dream continues. (Peg)
