Aria, also known as Mariano Schiavolini, is not just a name in the music industry. He’s a phenomenon who encompasses in his fold the whole world, and translates this mélange into his music. A crusader of global harmony and authentic music, Aria’s smashing new release carries his signature amalgamation of styles that transcends musical boundaries and borders.
His latest musical offering, “Smile,” is a compelling creation that reels in the listener with its infectious rhythm and uplifting vocals. Released on August 14th, this tune resonates with the melodies of rumba and cha-cha from South and Central America, embroidered with jazz and R&B influences and garnished with the unmistakable touch of seasoned American bassist, Joseph Patrick.
What sets Aria apart is his persistence to retain the originality and grandeur of real music. “Smile” stands as a living testament to his commitment, as the song is recorded using analog set-ups, a rare phenomenon in the age of digitization. With this approach, the song preserves the genuine frequencies of each instrument, resulting in rich rhythm layers and a complex composition that contemporary pieces often lack.
To achieve such authenticity requires a resolute devotion to the art. Aria, who also has his roots in rock, classical, and progressive music, has been a vigilant sentinel of real music, going beyond the confines of genre specifications. His style of music is also reflected in his collaboration with international sensations like the Soweto Gospel Choir, Peter Gabriel, and the group of Miriam Makeba.
The music video for “Smile” mirrors Aria’s vision of universal brotherhood, with smiling faces from all walks of life, brought together by the power of music. A quintessence of global collaboration, it features lyrics penned by the English author Nicolette Turner and sung by Ariel Jones, who also translated the song into her native Portuguese for its South American release.
Aria’s use of music as a medium to bring change is commendable. His discography, as diverse as his collaborators, often coincides as a reminder of crises and subjects that require attention. His song “Where Will it End” commemorates the victims of the Garissa University tragedy in Kenya, while “The Next Life” hones into habitat destruction and animal extinction. His latest release “Smile” however, intends to rekindle the forgotten joy of celebrating life in its listeners.
A stalwart in the musical fraternity, Aria harbors the philosophy of producing evocative music that resonates at a deeper level. He has been in the lineup of pioneers such as Mike Oldfield, Alan Parson, and Rudimental, who made it a point to delve deeply into musical tonalities and harmonies. These dive deep-ers are typically the ones producing original, timeless music, staying afloat in a sea of ephemeral, trendy tunes.
Aria, in his relentless pursuit of authentic music that hearkens back to the heavenly symphonies of 60’s and 70’s rock ballads, also desires the revival of slow dance music which, he believes, can bridge the gap between people. The safety and precision provided by digital tools, although essential in the current age, often create a disparity, distancing listeners from the raw, organic feel of music. He hopes for a renaissance of music fueled with the warmth of vinyl records and hi-fi sound enabling listeners to appreciate the subtleties of nuanced musical compositions.
This Italian maestro, infusing his music with a touch of nostalgia, invites everyone to the melodious soirees he constantly hosts where you can get up, dance, forget all your worries and relish the joy that music is meant to evoke.
Continuing his odyssey, Aria’s upcoming endeavors revolve around the nu-jazz genre, featuring a renowned New York City Jazz singer. His releases include tunes like “Blind Eyes,” “Find that Man,” and an ensemble piece “Broken.” Each song representing stories of refugees, features a star-studded line-up of opera and pop singers.
Delighting in the world’s treasury of traditional music and bathing in the shower of colorful measures and scales, Aria’s genuine love for real music facilitates the weaving of the diverse musical threads the world offers into a gorgeous tapestry of sounds. That, dear listener, is the magic called Aria.
“Smile” is available across all platforms now. For those captivated by this melody, links to his work are available on Spotify and Youtube as well as Apple Music and his official website.