TOM CARUANA – Salsa Verde – LP – Vinyl [MAY 30]

LP – Black Vinyl.

Salsa Verde is the latest release from artist, Tom Caruana and, the newest instalment of Def Presss series of projects made in partnership with KPM (and associated music libraries).

In 2021 Def Press entered into a deal with KPM whereby the deeper KPM and associated libraries can be used, exclusively, by Def Press. Sampled, replayed and reimagined, this vast catalogue has provided music for TV and Cinema for decades.

Sampled, often illegally, by practically every Hip Hop producer ever, the library is available to select Def Press artists to utilise in order to create new pieces of music.This music is then fed back into the KPM/Sony AVI library for use in TV and Cinema, and the Def Press artist in question is then a KPM Artist in their own right. Completing the circle and hopefully providing music to inspire the new generation of beat makers/sample-based producers.

With several titles in the series, notable names like Blockhead, Damu the Fudgemunk and Stro Elliot since its inception in 2021, the Def Press Editions x KPM series, Crate Diggers continues into the seventh episode. Producer & multi-instrumentalist Tom Caruana has been producing Hip Hop for over 25 years. Incorporating both samples and instruments in his production has helped him create a signature sound which covers a wide range of moods. He has produced quirkier and more humorous material for the likes of Dr Syntax & Professor Elemental, live production for his band Son Of Sam, sample heavy material in a range of projects with MCs as well as notoriously remixing Wu-Tang Clan with The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix. His work has been recognised in The New York Times, The Chicagoist, The Guardian and Mojo.

I downloaded everything and started work. First filtering things I wanted to sample. Then making hundreds of beat demos. With some feedback I then created a shortlist of beats, which I then started to send out to MCs to write to.

The majority of featured MCs on the album I already have working relationships with, so it was fairly natural. It took a few years getting the album finished, added some extra live instrument elements,scratches and then figured out the sequence of tracks. The sequence kept changing, because there’s such a range of material on the album it was hard to get it right.

The album covers a lot of ground including playfulness, serious and retrospective subject matters, dating and the social media algorithm. I’m incredibly proud of this album and feel it represents therange of sounds that I love about sample based hip hop.

The title is a reference to the fact that the source material were these green sleeve records, so I was thinking calling the album Green Source or Green Sauce, which then led me to make thereference less direct and call the album Salsa Verde. The album cover represents the Italian version of salsa verde (my grandfather was Maltese so I feel a connection to Italy), rather than the Mexican version with tomato and chilli.
– Tom Caruana

Salsa Verde is unashamedly Boombap. There is a difference, however. The drums we here on most of the record are played by Tom. The Piano, guitar and bass, theyre played by Tom. Caruana uses samples here, of course, but mainly for melody and topline. The foundation of this album is constructed from live instruments, played by the Producer.

Every track is a collaboration with at least one vocalist. UK and US appearances included throughout, and established artists sit beside the rising. Much like Tom, theres little room here for bravado and hierarchy, the record humbly asks us to listen to a musician fully immersed in the simple joy of their work. Nothing particularly fancy or contrived. Just great, solid Hip Hop made with an understanding and respect thats very apparent.

A song named, Walker Mill Road feat. yU & Richard Halligan was nominated for a Music Production Award. Tom travelled down to spend the day in the Sony Publishing offices where the KPM collection is housed.

Tracklist:

Side A
01. Baton feat. Phill Most Chill, Dillon & Kyza
02. Walker Mill Road feat. yU & Richard Halligan
03. The Gift feat. Prince Po, U-George & Jazz T
04. Hits Hits Hits feat. Jehst
05. Perfect Match feat. Large Professor, Tiye Phoenix & Nick Maxwell
06. Back In The Days feat. Truck North & Richard Halligan

Side B
01. Aisle 9 feat. Dynas
02. Get It feat. Maddy & Wordsmiff FLIP
03. Valiant feat. Press1, Essa & Dr Syntax
04. Ego Juice feat. Big Ole Lil Young Blaise
05. Influential feat. Supastition & Boog Brown