Recently nominated for the “World Music Award 2008” with his new album ‘Dub Qawwali’, Gaudi’s eclectic style and versatility has kept him at the forefront of his field throughout a notable and prolific career; this latest accolade confirms the London-based music producer/solo artist’s credentials as a force to be reckoned with in the international music scene.
There is a natural sensitivity to Gaudi’s music which enables him to unify different forms of sound from around the world and represent them in his own personal style, while at the same time, most importantly, keeping the heart, integrity and significance of the cultural roots. His music, which is an organic fusion of Dub, Breakbeat and World-groove is rarely off the playlists and regularly being performed live in the UK and internationally.
No newcomer, Gaudi has been stretching the boundaries of music since the start of his career in 1981 and since then he has cultivated his obsession with music by constantly searching and experimenting with new forms of sounds and grooves. A classically trained pianist and Theremin player with a fascination for anything that could produce sound distortion, Gaudi began his career as composer and producer experimenting with analogue synthesizers, filtered vocals and tape echoes; Even back then he created a sound that was very much his own: a sort of crossover between Roots-dub and the early 80’s “no-wave” movement. (see cult labels "Ralph Records” and "99 Records").
After been featured on many records as keyboard player, producer and songwriter, in 1986 Gaudi began his first solo reggae project as a singer and signed his first major record deal with Polygram/Mercury for his first 2 solo albums "Basta poco" and "Gaudium Magnum". After several years of massive national media exposure, promotion and intense touring, Gaudi, with his need for constant artistic evolution moved to London, where access to a growing international and more groundbreaking music industry would allow him to continue to develop both artistically and professionally.
After reaching no.1 in the UK charts in 1996 with his remix of Cool Jack’s “Jus’ Come” Gaudi confirmed his credentials as a top remixer and since then has remixed some of the most important names in the business, most notably: Bob Marley, Desmond Dekker, Simple Minds, Fatboy Slim, Scissor Sisters, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, 1 Giant Leap, Lamb, Trilok Gurtu, Bob & Marcia, Ojos de Brujo, Artful Dodger, The Orb, Zion train, Africa Bambaataa, Shpongle, among others… (see “remix” page on www.gaudimusic.com for a full list). Studio works with reggae legends such as Lee Scratch Perry, Horace Andy and Dennis Bovell, and "hip-hop pioneer" Grandmaster Flash, have further confirmed the talent of this fearless electronic producer.
With 11 solo albums to date (a 12th on the way), 250 music productions, 80 remixes and more than 100 compilations featuring his tracks, Gaudi has been pretty regularly present in the UK and USA iTunes Charts with his last 3 albums all gaining respectable chart postitions: “Bass, Sweat & Tears” (Interchill records) reached no.2 Europe & no.31 USA , “gaudi:testa-CONTINVVM” (Em:t records) no.3 Europe, “Re:sonate” (Fax Records) -done in collaboration with ‘ambient legend Pete Namlook - no.14 Europe and no.48 USA.
Besides his studio work, Gaudi is constantly touring, with live performances and dj sets captivating an ever growing fan base around the world with his original formula of “Dub n’ Breakz” - fusing the roots of Reggae music with cutting edge new electronic beats. Over the last few years he has put in memorable performances at many of the major music festivals worldwide; from Glastonbury to the Vancouver Jazz Festival, from the global electronic music scene to the world famous Reggae Sunsplash, from the mainstream to the more underground it is evident from his global appeal that his fan base is as diverse as his music and influences.
Recent international press described Gaudi as “...one of the freshest and most innovative sounds around at the moment!”. Gaudi’s last album “Dub Qawwali” not only earned him a nomination in the “World Music Awards 2008” but also high praise from listeners and music press around the globe. Dub Qawwali is a unique work which blends organic and digital dub stylings with original vocals of “Pakistan’s Premier Ambassador of Qawwali Music” Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. The album was released by Six Degrees Records in 2007 marking the 10-year anniversary of Nusrat's death; it reached no.2 in iTunes USA Chart, no.4 in the UK, no.1 on Amazon’s Electronic Music section.
In early 2008 Gaudi lent out his talents in a studio session with the legendary “hip hop pioneer” Grandmaster Flash, for his single “What if no more hip hop”. Alongside a busy tour schedule, Gaudi returned to Italy for 4 months to take on the role of 'vocal coach' for the hit TV talent show X Factor; he worked with the vocal groups category and emerged victorious with his group 'Aram Quartet' winning the show.
2009 started with a return to X Factor for the second series and once again to coach the groups category. It was another successful series with his group 'The Bastard Sons of Dioniso' winning the "critic's award" and their track 'L'amor Carnale' (co-written and produced by Gaudi) reaching no.1 in the Italian charts; Their debut EP also earned Gaudi his 4th Gold Disc. Subsequently, Gaudi also produced their debut album "In Stasi Perpetua" which was released by Sony Music in November 2009. After spending the summer touring America, Canada, UK, Russia, Australia, Brazil and Greece, Gaudi returned to Italy again in the autumn for the 3rd series of X Factor.
Gaudi has now completed his 12th album 'NO PRISONERS' (feat. Michael Franti, Dub Gabriel, Elisa, Dr. Israel), an uptempo/fat-bass project due to be released worldwide in March 2010 by Six Degrees Records.
