The Link Quartet is the greatest Hammond beat band in the world and during their 3-year break demand has remained high. Resulting in: 3 compilations of out-of-print and unreleased tracks; continuous appearances on various artist’s packages from the UK to Japan; and a full-on assault of digital-download reissues. The Link Quartet also diversified into a whole host of new sounds and identities featuring the outrageously talented Paolo “Apollo” Negri disintegrating the plastic and ivory on nearly every kind of keyboard he could get his hands on...
“This is Paolo…what a talent; if he’d been from the UK he’d have given James Taylor a very hard run for the UK fantasy-funk Hammond player/keyboardist.” (Craig Charles live on air – Funk and Soul Show, BBC, March 2009)
But there simply was no denying the compelling need to return to the raw Hammond blast of The Link Quartet groove where go-go girls, European performance cars, and espresso bars reign supreme. A mere week after Paolo’s March 2009 showcase at the SXSW Music Festival (Austin, TX), The Link Quartet were back in business with a session that resulted in two monster grooves built from pure energy and the basic instinct of that lustful DNA that few possess.
The pressure was on to deliver a master quickly for the looming summer tour, but the result has not a single ounce of seeming rushed, and confirms, underscores, and shouts to heaven in triplicate that the time for The Link Quartet’s return to rule the Hammond beat kingdom is clearly here and now.
“Fast Girls & Sexy Cars” and “Drummore” is their stronger-than-ever raw power in evidence: the breakneck power-pop pace of one and the laid-back-beat of the other. The soaring Hammond, sultry guitar, driving drums, and deeeeep bass have put The Link Quartet firmly in their own future – and that’s a place we all desire to be living.
(da www.hammondbeat.com)
La formazione del Link Quartet 2009 prevede, insieme a Paolo “Apollo” Negri (Hammond) e Renzo Bassi (basso), l’ingresso di Marco “Majo” Murtas (chitarra) e Alberto “Pato” Maffi (batteria), sia per le date dal vivo che per la registrazione del nuovo album, prevista in autunno per la Hammondbeat Records. Tony Face parteciperà al progetto con il ruolo di manager e percussionista part-time e Giulio “Link” Cardini con quello di “filosofo”.
Paolo “Apollo” Negri (Hammond) and Renzo Bassi (bass) are joined by new mates Marco “Majo” Murtas (guitar) and Alberto “Pato” Maffi (drums) and will be in the studio this autumn for the 6th album on Hammondbeat Records.
We’re just back from Austin, TX after a fab week with Flyjack and The Diplomats of Solid Sound at SXSW and already we’re hard at work on our next releases:The Link Quartet are back with their first new studio recordings since “Italian Playboys”. Out June 19 will be the 7th release in the Hammondbeat Hi-Fi Sessions vinyl series: “Fast Girls & Sexy Cars” b/w “Drummore” [HB7-07]. The record will be supported by a european tour that kicks off June 19 in France. On the same day, Low Fidelity Jet-Set Orchestra are back on wax with the exclusive “Danger Boogaloo” b/w “Point of View” [HB7-08] which picks up where “Searching For A Bit Of Popularity” left off. Also, don’t miss the new full-length album “Studio Works” – just out on IRMA (Italy). And don’t forget the exclusive download (drop card) album “Paolo Apollo Negri’s SXSW Odyssey” is still available for just $5.00 (free with any order $25 and over). It will be later be available from iTunes in September.
