Giomane is a confident and mature chapter in Gianfranco GFN, the fifth studio album, released on June 6, 2025. Produced by the years and having been recorded between Switzerland and Ivory Coast and then mixed and mastered in Italy, it has a global feel to it yet is a very intimate album. It is no rush, but no hurry, and is constructed on the belief in groove, musicianship, and genuine human connection.
Giomane is a blend of groove, soul, and acid jazz music with a hint of pop, funk, and blues that flows naturally through its 13 tracks. The sound is natural, warm and lively without being overcellular. The testimonies such as Sing the Song welcome the listener with an open energy, whereas In My Dreams and When You Have Gone dwell on emotional honesty with sensitivity and gentleness. Songs like Doctor Wind, Supernatural, and Jumping Around demonstrate the confidence of the band and its playful rhythm, whereas My Sunday Morning provides the reader with just what the title claims to be: calm.
Gianfranco plays a guitar which gives the album a firm base woven with expressive vocals, a well-knit rhythm section as well as an energetic horn section recorded at Abidjan. It employed 15 musicians and it is all about the interaction and common feeling. Giomane is a success due to its slowness. It is honest, considerate, and very human, and it is an album that can be listened to and be enjoyed at the same time.
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Congratulations on the release of GIOMANÈ. With 13 songs and almost 48 minutes of music, what does this album represent for you at this point in your career?
With 13 tracks and almost 48 minutes of music, GIOMANÈ represents a moment of artistic maturity for me. It’s an album where I allow myself time — time to tell stories, to breathe, and to let the music live without constraints. At this point in my career, I wanted a sincere and coherent project that reflects both my journey, my influences, and my current creative freedom.
The album title GIOMANÈ feels very personal. What does the name mean to you, and how does it connect to the overall mood or story of the album?
GIOMANÈ is a very personal name for me. It represents something deeply human and intimate, somewhere between innocence, experience, and transmission. It perfectly reflects the album’s mood — warm, introspective, sometimes nostalgic, but always driven by groove and light.
Creating a full-length album is a big commitment. How did you decide which songs belonged on GIOMANÈ, and was the final tracklist always clear to you?
Creating a full-length album requires commitment and perspective. I selected the tracks for GIOMANÈ based on their sincerity and how they complemented each other. Some songs felt obvious from the start, while others found their place over time. The final tracklist wasn’t clear at first — it came together like an emotional puzzle.
I’ve already reviewed “Saigon,” the 8th track on the album, and it really stands out. What role does “Saigon” play within the wider journey of GIOMANÈ?
“Saigon” plays a key role in the journey of GIOMANÈ. It’s a pivotal, almost cinematic track that invites movement and escape. It marks a transition in the album, both emotionally and sonically, opening a new perspective for the listener.
Do you see GIOMANÈ as a collection of individual songs, or more as one long story that unfolds over its 47 minutes?
I see GIOMANÈ both as a collection of individual songs and as one continuous story unfolding over 47 minutes. Each track has its own identity, but together they form a seamless listening experience.
How did your songwriting process evolve while working on this album? Did any songs come together in unexpected ways?
My songwriting process evolved a lot while working on this album. I allowed more room for instinct and improvisation. Some songs came together very quickly, almost unexpectedly, often starting from a groove or a captured studio atmosphere.
Were there specific moments in your life or particular emotions that shaped the sound and themes of GIOMANÈ?
Absolutely. Life moments, encounters, and a wide range of emotions shaped the sound and themes of GIOMANÈ. There’s nostalgia, joy, and reflection, but always a positive and human energy.
Across 13 tracks, how did you keep the album feeling fresh while still sounding cohesive?
To keep the album fresh yet cohesive, I relied on a strong sonic identity — groove, feeling, and that GIAZZ! spirit blending jazz, soul, and acid-jazz. Each track explores a different shade without losing the thread.
Which song on GIOMANÈ feels closest to who you are as an artist right now, and why?
It’s hard to choose just one, but if I had to, it would be the track that best reflects my current balance between groove, emotion, and musical freedom. It truly represents who I am as an artist right now.
How important was pacing and flow for you, especially knowing listeners would spend nearly an hour with the album?
Pacing and flow were essential. Knowing listeners would spend nearly an hour with GIOMANÈ, I wanted to create a smooth experience, almost like an imaginary live concert, with moments to breathe and moments of intensity.
Looking ahead, how do you see GIOMANÈ influencing your future music or creative direction?
GIOMANÈ will definitely influence what comes next. It pushes me to go even further into artistic freedom, exploring groove, humanity, and authenticity. It’s a strong foundation for the future.
