Title: Forum Trax EP

A: Scarpi "Your Love"

AA: Benzo featuring AJ Lewis "Believe"

ARTIST INFO:

Con Brio's second release sees Paul Farris launching a series to promote new producer talent… In 2003 Paul Farris announced a project with Ministry Of Sound to give up & coming DJs their chance to play at one of the world's most famous clubs. Thanks to the 'Farris Forum' parties, more than 26 aspiring DJs (plus 1 bass player!) have had their chance to appear on the line-up with leading jocks including Sandy Rivera, KOT, Junior Jack & Kid Crème, Norman Jay, Mutiny, Jon Cutler, Mauro Picotto & DJ Chus. Paul has now turned his focus to new producer talent via his label, Con Brio and is proud to announce the forthcoming release and first in a series of "Forum Trax EP". 

ABOUT SCARPI:

Sara Farina, aka Scarpi, studied classical guitar and vocals, and has a BSc in Music from City University, London. Inspired by the old school of Monteverdi, Mozart, Schubert and the new school of The Police, Bob Marley, Jimmy Hendrix, Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell and Ella Fitzgerald Scarpi's music has a depth and maturity that is rare to find. Scarpi is both the co-writer and vocalist on "Your Love". Paul Ridney is the co-writer.

ABOUT BENZO:

Ben Lodwidge and Enzo Pisani make up DJ & Production outfit 'Benzo'. 23 and 29 respectively, the boys hail from Southampton and have previously produced "Wasting Time" with Sinead O'Sullivan and more recently in collaboration with fellow UK production team Park Street, the track "Sunrise". Both self-taught musicians they take their influences from such seminal authorities as Masters at Work, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor Quartet, Eric Clapton and Incubus.  The Benzo boys knew vocalist AJ Lewis as an old school friend and had long wanted to work on a project together. AJ's pure voice was a perfect compliment to the beautiful lyrics of "Believe".

WHAT THEY SAY:

DJ Magazine, Issue #370 Hype Chart No.4

Smokin Jo – 10/10 “I love the Scarpi, been going down a treat in all my gigs. Wicked stuff.”

Dave Clarke – "That Scarpi number is definitely a grower."

Ben Watt – 8/10 “Great record. Excellent vocal licks. Prime time straight up house but with a leftfield edge.”

Darren Gerhold (Galaxy) – “Scarpi track is awesome it really works well for me. Big support on this. Scarpi is one of the best tracks I’ve heard for a while!! Nice one.”

Dan (Liquid People) – “Wow! Your Love rocks! Really like the deeper big room vibe. Will receive a Liquid People rinsing!”

Gerald “Guitarra G” Elms – 8/10 “Scarpi rocks! I thought I was the only one into all that old sh*t. Really love the track and her musicality shines through.”

Pound Boys "My fav. track is the "Believe" track by Benzo. Top notch!"

Sharp Boys "Scarpi is the one."

Hed Kandi  "Just wanted to give you a little extra congrats on the Forum Trax EP..... the Benzo track is unbelievable and its been getting a great reaction everywhere at the moment. I have been hammering it!!! I also put it on my residents mix for the Kandi show this week. Awesome."

ATFC "The female vocal side is charmingly off key - reminds me of a KOT thing. The male vocal side is cool in a more standard way. Both will get a play.."

Mark Brown (C2/MYNC)  "Really like Scarpi. Having been playing alot."

Dreem Teem on Radio 1  "Big support on Benzo"

CJ Mackintosh "Liking the Benzo 'Believe' cut."

Norman Jay "Like it."

DJ Magazine, Issue #369 - "It's nice when somebody in high places gives a little leg up to young talent and that is what Paul Farris does via his 'Farris Forum' nights at the Ministry. Young DJs get the opportunity to play in a big club, next to big name DJs thanks to FourFour Promotions boss, Farris. This new series of Eps from Paul's Con Brio stable offer that welcome "in" and all too elusive break to young producers. First up is Benzo's 'Believe'. An extremely slippery bass skids around the bars, whilst AJ Lewis deals with the vocal side of things in a very laidback style. Don't expect screeching soul, the whole tone of this track – from its sinister intro to the dying moments – is one of a calm and collected chugging groove. Scarpi's 'Your Love' is a delicious deeper ended garage trip. Soft piano paces itself for a long haul over the real smooth garage beats, which work their way down to the strong vocal breakdown that builds some expectant tension. The surge of energy you expect is not forthcoming though; it's back to the slick jam and more sweet male vocals. These in turn lead the listener to an even more soulful breakdown further along the bars and then yet more and more deep, wholesome soulful house happenings. A nice start to a nice idea. Well done the FourFour people." Yogi Haughton

Boyz Magazine - "The Farris Forum is a night at Ministry of Sound, run by Paul Farris as a platform for new UK talents, giving them the opportunity to DJ alongside big boys like Junior Jack and Sandy Rivera. This is the second in a series of Eps from the night that sees Scarpi show off their unique style bringing new summer vibes to a floor near you. This is featuring high on my show on Gaydar purely for its fresh flavour, and is a blessed break from all the bootlegs which fly off the shelves these days. Three final words: spiritual, depth, class." Gary H

Blues & Soul, July - "Benzo's "I Believe" is the standout soulful call on the "Forum Trax EP Vol 1" new on Con Brio, Paul Farris' label which showcases fledgling talents aired at his Forum sessions. Scarpi's "Your Love" samples an old fave in progressive style." Nicky Trax

Jjaz Project - "This EP showcases the talents of two hither to little known talents. There are two tracks to choose from: Scarpi, (Sara Farina) brings us "Your Love" which is an atmospheric number featuring Sara's vocals. The production is entirely original and a refreshing experience compared to much of the hands in the air material that's floating around. Benzo are Ben Lodwidge and Enzo Pisani deliver "Believe", which is a haunting deep house ballad very much in the mould of some of the mellower Robert Owens material. Featuring a simple but effective bassline and punctuated by soothing chords, the music provides the perfect vehicle to compliment AJ's excellent voice. Altogether a very sound purchase and good to see some new talent getting the exposure they deserve." Dean Serafini

Used with permission from www.conbriosounds.com