Odyssey Mixtape

Brazilian pianist, keyboardist, synthesist, composer, and producer Jose Luiz Martins went through a battle with Focal Dystonia that led him back to his past of graffiti, skate culture, and rock music. This battle was reflected in his newest project called Odyssey Mixtape. On it, Martins combines funkier grooves and sound design into his music. Lesser-known drummer, Dana Hawkins (a veteran of Meshell Ndegeocello and Stanley Clarke's bands) was the perfect choice for this musical adventure. His solo on "Cravo E Canela" is jaw dropping. His loose and propulsive groove on "Bloom" is perfect. Hawkins' touch with brushes is unique he uses them as many drummers would use sticks, providing a more sympathetic sound that is also thick (yet quiet.) It's great to hear Dana Hawkins in such a creative musical setting, and that setting was created wonderfully by Jose Luiz Martins, we'll be looking to hear more from him!