Record Reviews

FRANCESCO BRUNO ~ LE PAROLE ALTRE: IL LUNGO VIAGGIO DI TIZIANO TERZANI VIDEO EIKON ~ ITALY ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2009 Released: 2010 This is the eighth album by the Italian Jazz guitarist / composer Francesco BrunoFind albums by this artist and his ensemble, which also includes saxophonist / flautist Javier GirottoFind albums by this artist (on two tracks only), pianist Pierpaolo PrincipatoFind albums by this artist, bassist Enzo PietropaoliFind albums by this artist, drummer Tommaso CarliniFind albums by this artist and percussionist Iginio De LucaFind albums by this artist. The vocalist Irina DanciFind albums by this artist adds some voiced ornamentation on four tracks. The album is a multi-media package, which includes an audio CD, a DVD and a book, and which pays homage to the life and work of the legendary Italian journalist and writer Tiziano TerzaniFind albums by this artist, best known for his work about the Far East, where he lived for many years and wrote about extensively. The DVD documents a spectacle, which presents Terzani´s work narrated by his wife Angela Terzani StaudeFind albums by this artist and accompanied by the Francesco Bruno ensemble playing live. The entire project, which combines music, photography, video and literary work is a beautiful example of dedication and love of Culture necessary to make such an endeavor come true. Sadly such projects are quite rare in our reality these days. The audio CD presents eight original compositions, all by Francesco Bruno, which are beautifully melodic and intelligently crafted. The ensemble setting and the fact that Bruno uses also the guitar synthesizer enrich the overall sound scope, sounding quite orchestral at times. The compositions are strongly influenced by World Music, which is emphasized by the percussionist, who uses an array of exotic instruments from all over the world. All the ensemble members perform excellently, creating a vibrant, rich palette of sounds, which is aesthetically pleasing and emotionally engaging. Bruno´s guitar playing is simply spectacular throughout. Although this music was created to serve as part of the entire multi-media project, the audio CD has a complete life of its own and is perfectly suitable to be listened to separately and is a wonderful listening experience at that, sparkling with the joy of life and good spirited music. Overall this is a piece of wonderful work, which should make all those who were involved in its creation proud. In our cold, cynical world the fact that some people still care about Culture is a heart-worming assurance that life is worth living. All I can say is "thanks for sharing"!

BOOK+CD+DVD 2 Recommend To A Friend

MARIA PIA DE VITO ~ PHONE EGEA 063 (Barcode: 8015948000632) ~ ITALY ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 1998 Released: 1998 This is the third album by the sublime Italian vocalist / composer Maria Pia De VitoFind albums by this artist recorded with an excellent team of musicians, which includes the British pianist John TaylorFind albums by this artist and Italian clarinetist Gianluigi TrovesiFind albums by this artist, bassist Enzo PietropaoliFind albums by this artist and drummer Frederico SanesiFind albums by this artist. Bassist Daniele MencarelliFind albums by this artist guests on one track. The album presents nine tracks, most of which are original creations by De Vito (music and lyrics), two are her arrangements of Macedonian folk tunes, one is a composition by Taylor and a couple of songs originate from other sources. The music is absolutely stunning from start to finish, presenting a highly aesthetic and typically European approach to Artistic expression, which knows no stylistic boundaries. There are elements of early music, World Music influences and of course Jazz and Avant-Garde explorations, all of which make "perfect sense" together and create an amazing colorful amalgam of sounds and emotions. De Vito has an amazing vocal range, which she employs to the max, both when singing lyrics and vocalizing freely. Her ability to create spontaneous vocalese is amongst the finest out there, earning her an honorable membership in the exclusive circle of the Vocal Summit circle. The intimate musical relationship De Vito manages to create with Taylor is beautifully remarkable. Taylor, known as one of the finest accompanists ever, proves his rare ability of telepathic communication with singers (see his work with Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist) and this symbiosis is the anchor of this entire album. But Trovesi is also a first rate magician and his clarinet playing here is tasteful and brilliantly harmonizing to the album´s atmosphere. Overall this is a superb album, full of great music and highly unusual vocal performances, which is a textbook of innovative vocal approaches and demonstrates thinking "out of the box". For lovers of human voice, Jazz and Avant-Garde vocal explorations and great music in general, this is an absolute must. For aspiring young vocalists, this is no less than the Biblical "pillar of fire" as far as the quest of developing a meaningful career as a vocalist. Although released over two decades ago this album is still available, so don´t even think twice about it!

Updated: 03/07/2020Posted: 03/07/2020

CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend

ENRICO RAVA / PAOLO FRESU ~ SHADES OF CHET EDEL CONTENT 4029759089025 (Barcode: 4029759089025) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1999 Released: 2013 This is a reissue of a fabulous Italian Jazz album, which pairs the country´s two leading Jazz trumpeters Enrico RavaFind albums by this artist (born 1939) and Paolo FresuFind albums by this artist (born 1961), who represent two generations of the Italian Jazz scene, playing side by side in a quintet setting, which features other Italian Jazz Masters: pianist Stefano BollaniFind albums by this artist, bassist Enzo PietropaoliFind albums by this artist and drummer Roberto GattoFind albums by this artist. Together they perform nine Jazz standards, which were associated with the repertoire performed by the great American trumpeter Chet Baker, who lived in Italy for many years. Although the album is completely straightforward and offers no groundbreaking innovation whatsoever, it is nevertheless a perfect example of beautifully performed mainstream Jazz, which is a faultless encapsulation of everything that this music has to offer. Of course the presence of Rava and Fresu, who belong to the top class of Europe´s trumpeters, is a wonderful bonus, especially when they exchange licks playing simultaneously. This album´s version of "My Funny Valentine", which is the song most often associated with Baker and his tragic life, is simply a timeless classic, but the entire set is remarkable. The true Jazz cognoscenti will of course enjoy the comparison between the two trumpeters, their respective technique and emotional finesse. It also shows that Europeans can play mainstream Jazz as well and often better than their colleagues from across the pond. In short this is trumpet heaven for connoisseurs of Jazz trumpet and a superb tribute to one of the greatest Jazz trumpeters ever, but also a most entertaining piece of music of the highest quality. Warmly recommended!

Updated: 02/04/2016Posted: 02/04/2016

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend