The album “Still In Transit” marks the organic encounter between rapper Lou Piensa (member of the Canadian supergroup Nomadic Massive) and the instrumental band Mental Abstrato who mix Hip Hop and Jazz with Brazilian influences.

 

Before anything, this project is the result of friendship and artistic complicity, cultivated over several years on stage and in the studio, which was then solidified in 2019 during an artistic trip to Cuba. After the tour, Lou and Mental Abstrato decided to start working on a collaborative album where Lou Piensa's technical and multilingual flows would effortlessly ride over Mental Abstrato's Afro-Brazilian influenced jazz beats. The record also has a strong Afro-Cuban reference, the result of their trip and Lou PIensa’s the long-standing connection with that country.

 

This is how a unique, meticulous and universal record was born. Still in Transit proudly waves the banner of Hip Hop culture while at the same time perfectly integrating elements of Brazilian and Afro-Latin jazz. beatifully superimposed through the art of sampling.

 

The record also includes a series of impressive guest artists such as the majestic Dayme Arocena and the charming Eme Alfonso from Cuba, Brazilian veterans Jorge Du Peixe (Nação Zumbi) and Kamau, Canadian rapper Waahli and Fabriccio, considered by many as the being part of the vanguard of Brazilian neo-soul.

 

With musical direction by Thiago Duar and the production being divided between Lou Piensa and the members of Mental Abstrato, the tunes also include some interventions by beatmakers Dr.Mad (Canada) and El Tipo Este (Cuba). The record brings together musicians from Brazil, Canada and Cuba. Recording took place in São Paulo, at Studio Hataka by engineer Fabio Hataka and mastering was completed in New York by none other than Bob Power (renowned engineer and producer recognized for his work with A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, D'Angelo, De la Soul , Common and Erykah Badu)

 

The diversity and consistency of the project tickled the curiosity of Japanese label Think Records/Disk Union, which did not hesitate to distribute the record and produce a Japanese version, on vinyl.