Afro Fusion / Afro-Electro / afro-pop / Jazz

POP Montréal | SAM.IITO, A Promising New Cycle

by Michel Labrecque

In the small, sparsely packed Rialto Hall on Thursday evening, SAM.IITO (Samito) introduced us to his new musical project, DesDobramento (deployment), whose main theme is shame.

For the Mozambican-born musician, who has lived in Montreal for almost two decades, this project is a return to his roots: after having worked extensively in the electro sphere, this African musician trained in jazz admitted in an interview that he also listens to a lot of soft music. So, he wanted to bring all these parts of himself together in a new musical adventure.

And the result on stage is very promising, if unfinished. SAM.IITO himself said as much at the start of the concert, and even asked the audience for feedback on how to improve. SAM.IITO really doesn’t do things the way most people do them, and that’s what makes him so endearing.

This sonic journey takes us into all kinds of musical textures, from extreme mellowness to dance party, with intriguing jazz harmonies, aided by saxophonist and keyboardist Alex Ambroise, drummer Salin Cheewapansri, violinist Elsasosa Jousse and bassist Milla Thyme, also on keyboards.

SAM.IITO sings, mostly in Portuguese, and we also play keyboards. Added to this assemblage are processed samples of choral singing, speeches and instruments played.

While some arrangements still need to be perfected, the overall experience is one of Samito’s most accomplished musical offerings. The fusion of his various musical heritages floats us in an emotional bubble. It’s at once learned and playful, lulling and challenging.

Desdobramento is a work in progress, unfinished, but very interesting indeed. Let’s hope we’ll soon be able to witness the continuation of this embryonic project.

Publicité panam

Latest 360 Content

Intimate concerts to delve into music and emotions at the Centre des musiciens du monde

Intimate concerts to delve into music and emotions at the Centre des musiciens du monde

Igloofête/Igloofest, pour mieux kiffer la programmation

Igloofête/Igloofest, pour mieux kiffer la programmation

KingAlexBeats, From Laval to Miami, From Local Culture to Shakira and Pitbull

KingAlexBeats, From Laval to Miami, From Local Culture to Shakira and Pitbull

Mitochondrion – Vitriseptome

Mitochondrion – Vitriseptome

MOVIELAND – Then & Now

MOVIELAND – Then & Now

Art d’Ecco – True Believer

Art d’Ecco – True Believer

Evan Williams – Ride On

Evan Williams – Ride On

Nuits d’Afrique / Omar Sosa & Seckou Keita SUBA Trio

Nuits d’Afrique / Omar Sosa & Seckou Keita SUBA Trio

Creative Mood: Adib Alkhalidey Talks to Sasha Ömer

Creative Mood: Adib Alkhalidey Talks to Sasha Ömer

Montréal / Nouvelles Musiques: Eve Egoyan, Piano and Immersion

Montréal / Nouvelles Musiques: Eve Egoyan, Piano and Immersion

MNM / Dynamite Barrel, New European Ensemble and A Creation by Francis Battah

MNM / Dynamite Barrel, New European Ensemble and A Creation by Francis Battah

Artistic Directions, Their Favorite Albums in 2024

Artistic Directions, Their Favorite Albums in 2024

Top Albums of 2024: Scott Thomson, Festival International de Musique Actuelle de Victoriaville

Top Albums of 2024: Scott Thomson, Festival International de Musique Actuelle de Victoriaville

Top Albums of 2024: Mathieu Lussier, Arion Orchestre Baroque et Domaine Forget

Top Albums of 2024: Mathieu Lussier, Arion Orchestre Baroque et Domaine Forget

Top 2024 Albums of Dan Seligman, Art director of POP Montréal

Top 2024 Albums of Dan Seligman, Art director of POP Montréal

Top Albums of 2024: Simon Fauteux, SIX media marketing

Top Albums of 2024: Simon Fauteux, SIX media marketing

Top Albums of 2024 – François-Mario Labbé, Analekta

Top Albums of 2024 – François-Mario Labbé, Analekta

Top Albums of 2024 / Renaud Loranger, Festival de Lanaudière

Top Albums of 2024 / Renaud Loranger, Festival de Lanaudière

Top Albums of 2024: Damian Nisenson, Malasartes

Top Albums of 2024: Damian Nisenson, Malasartes

Top Albums of 2024, Philippe Larocque, Mothland, Taverne Tour, FME, Distorsion

Top Albums of 2024, Philippe Larocque, Mothland, Taverne Tour, FME, Distorsion

Top Albums of 2024 / Noémie Laniel, Coup de cœur francophone

Top Albums of 2024 / Noémie Laniel, Coup de cœur francophone

Top Albums 2024 / Eli Levinson, Mundial Montréal

Top Albums 2024 / Eli Levinson, Mundial Montréal

Subscribe to our newsletter