We welcome back one of our favourites Henry Hicks aka Horatio Luna, the composer, bassist and producer is a musician intrinsically interwoven
into the fabric of Melbourne’s (and indeed Australia’s) jazz scene through both his solo and collaborative work with influential hip hop / beats collective 30/70.
His new LP “Boom Boom” (to be released Jitwam’s The Jazz Diaries imprint) is Hicks’ most dancefloor leaning offering to date. Utilizing his raw, unfiltered DIY approach to composition,with a focus on using his
bass guitar to drive the frantic energy of the band, Horatio Luna’s music embodies an ethos of unbounded creation.
Hicks explains “I was always just about freedom in music, freedom in life. I wanted to hear new music and I’ve always been intrigued by abstract and contemporary ideas. Fusion music.”
Showing the versatility of his talent throughout the record, Hicks drops rapped verses on “Fck The System delivers outer space bass licks on title track “Boom Boom” and even turns in an incredible reimagining of Detroit Legend Patrice Scott’s classic anthem “Be Free”. Heavily influenced by Australia’s Bush-Doof scene (electronic music parties taking place in the outback) HL aims to bring some party looseness back to the music.
From front to back, “Boom Boom” is full of infectious energy and uplifting sonics, a powerful piece of work with which Horatio Luna proves himself as an unbeatable purveyor of spaced out, soulful sounds. In its soulful essence, it captures the scratchy spirit of Detroit luminaries like Moodymann, Theo Parrish, Terrence Parker, and Mike Huckaby.
Get a first listen to the heat that is ‘Bush Doof’ below. You can pre-order your copy of ”Boom Boom” here.