Thornato Adds Flamenco Flair to the Breezy Beat on “Welwyn”

Unless you’re David Byrne, Gilles Peterson, Peter Gabriel, Thievery Corporation, or a similar-caliber connoisseur, it’s probably best to resist the seductive lure of “world music”—particularly if you’re contemplating “fusing” it with anything. The high-minded sounds move the body, but the pleasure feels borrowed.

Among those playing the global groove game with depth and finesse is Swedish-Cypriot Thornato (Thor Patridge), who calls Queens, New York, home and caught people’s ears in 2014 with “Gaita Gaita.” Not lacking in frequent flyer miles, Thornato is no sonic carpetbagger. His mother raised him on international sounds, which complemented his classical piano, jazz guitar, and bluegrass banjo training. He has also produced music for Bollywood films, toured with Beats Antique, and recorded with many international musicians and instruments.

For his new album, Bennu, he recruited a team from Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Jamaica, and South Africa. Stylistically, the songs cover as many miles. “Welwyn,” featuring Harry Vanvagen, adds flamenco flair to deep house beats, with the breezy guitars stroking the unhurried electronic rhythms. The song has typically Thornato origins as well.

“It all started when my brother gave me a guitar that he found in a garbage pile on the street,” Thornato recently told Insomniac. “The guitar was really beat up and missing strings but sounded incredible. The repetitive guitar melody was inspired by flamenco and classical guitar technique I was studying at the time. The mysterious Harry Vanvagen came through with some house vibes, and ‘Welwyn’ was born.”

Available April 14 via Wonderwheel Recordings.

Pre-order the Bennu LP here.

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