Record Reviews

IL SOGNO ~ BIRTHDAY GOTTA LET IT OUT 16 ~ ITALY ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2017 This is the debut album by young European Jazz trio Il SognoFind albums by this artist comprising of Italian pianist Emanuele ManiscalcoFind albums by this artist, Polish bassist Tomo JacobsonFind albums by this artist and Danish drummer Oliver LaumannFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten compositions, nine of which are originals (seven by all three members of the trio and one each by Maniscalco and Jacobson) and one is a famous movie theme. Although this is seemingly a classic Jazz piano trio, there is absolutely nothing conventional about this music or the performances. The music is based on composed motifs, but presents a dimension of freedom, which is its most important element. The relatively concise pieces are an excellent way to expose the listener to as many different facets of the music as possible, and the diversity is very impressive. The music creates an atmosphere of lyricism and melancholy, which of course is typical of European Jazz, emphasizing delicate interplays and intrinsic elegance rather than powerful expressionism. The melodic content is often implied rather than explicitly stated, which of course is a wonderful way to involve the listener within the intellectual process of "recreating" the music in the listener´s mind, filling the blanks in many different ways. The individual contributions by all three musicians are superb in every way. Maniscalco paints an expressionist melodic landscape with his elegant touches, Jacobson uses the bass completely outside of the bass convention in a most original and inventive way and Laumann is also a very unconventional drummer, who does everything except keeping time, which this music of course does not need at all. Overall this is an extraordinary debut album, full of great music and excellent performances. The album´s duration is a bit short (about thirty five minutes), but considering that it was released on vinyl and the CD is only a promotional copy, this is a minor matter. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 04/10/2022Posted: 15/02/2018

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IL SOGNO ~ GRADUATION GOTTA LET IT OUT 47 (Barcode: 8031697501527) ~ ITALY ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is the second album by young European Jazz trio Il SognoFind albums by this artist, comprising of Italian keyboardist Emanuele ManiscalcoFind albums by this artist, Polish bassist Tomo JacobsonFind albums by this artist and Danish drummer Oliver LaumannFind albums by this artist. The album presents fifteen tracks, twelve of which were composed or co-composed by the members of the trio and three come from other sources. With a switch from the acoustic piano to an electric Wurlitzer piano and synthesizer the sound of the trio changes into gentle, almost ambient vistas, based on melodic themes, and Fusion oriented flow (see Weather ReportFind albums by this artist), which also incorporates elements of Free and Eastern mysticism. In short this album is very different from the debut, but considering the fact that five years passed between the two recordings, it is hardly surprising. Despite the fact that the album is divided into separate tracks, it offers a sonic continuity, which allows listening to the music as a continuous experience, which can be a bit trying at times due to the slow tempi and minimal dynamics, but on the other hand has an enchanting meditative character, which allows the listener to get completely absorbed into the music. The individual contributions are exceptional and all three members of the trio get equal opportunities to show their chops. Although Maniscalco is in charge of the melodies and the ambient synthesizer layers, both Jacobson and Laumann are clearly audible for the entire duration and often step out of the role of the rhythm section to offer their soli. The relatively sparse concentration of sounds allows for all three instruments to be clearly heard for the entire duration and the crystal clear sound quality allows the listener to enjoy the music in full detail. Overall, this is an excellent follow up album, full of beautiful sounds and excellent contributions by the trio members, which manage to create a very unique ambience, somewhat resembling the Acid Jazz of the 1990s, but with a greater dose of Free improvisation. For Jazz fans searching for new excitements, this just might be exactly what they are searching for. I for one had an absolute blast listening to this music; it’s fresh, exciting and exploring, and yet entertaining.

Updated: 16/03/2023Posted: 04/12/2021

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