Record Reviews
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  | FABRIZIO CUCCO ~ FOR A BRIEF MOMENT
CAMILLA (Barcode: 8032880740396) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2019 Released: 2020
This is the debut album as a leader by Italian Jazz electric bassist Fabrizio CuccoFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with saxophonist Maurizio GiammarcoFind albums by this artist, pianist Pierpaolo PrincipatoFind albums by this artist and drummer Roberto GattoFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, seven of which are original compositions by Cucco and one is a standard. The music was recorded by Francesco BrunoFind albums by this artist in his studio near Rome, and the excellent sound quality emphasizes every single note played during the recording sessions.
The music is all within mainstream Jazz idiom, based on splendid melodic themes, mostly lyrical and harmonically solid. The entire album creates a relaxed, slowly unfolding musical story, which allows the listener to enjoy the proceedings and carefully listen to the performances. Although most of the soloing is naturally done by Giammarco and Principato, who are obviously more experienced musicians, Cucco is very busy on all the pieces, soloing and playing along the rest of the quartet with a distinct presence. Gatto adds an excellent rhythmic layer, but stays respectively slightly in the background, in order to allow the bass parts to be more audible.
Overall this is a solid debut effort, which shows a lot of potential in Cucco both as an instrumentalist and composer and a great opportunity to wish him further success in his future projects.
| | Updated: 29/06/2020Posted: 29/06/2020 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | D`ANDREA / TOMMASO / GATTO ~ AIREGIN
RED 123252 (Barcode: 027312325225) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1991 Released: 1992
This is a wonderful album by the Italian Jazz trio comprising of pianist Franco D`AndreaFind albums by this artist, bassist Giovanni TommasoFind albums by this artist and drummer Roberto GattoFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven tracks, six of which are standards, two are co-composed by all three members of the trio and the remaining tree are composed by one of the trio members.
Although performed by a classic Jazz piano trio, this album is a sublime example of European modern Jazz, which brilliantly interprets the American standards with such sophisticated twist, that ever Jazz lover find immediately himself smiling uncontrollably. D`Andrea’s brilliant ability to twist and transform the well know themes is simply absolutely ingenious. Of course the original compositions are no less interesting and altogether the trio offers a delightful portion of highly aesthetic and clever Jazz experience. Of course both Tommaso and Gatto are brilliant players as well, and serve as ideal partners to D`Andrea’s virtuosity.
D`Andrea’s extensive recording legacy, mostly in the trio and solo piano setting, is one of the most impressive Italian and European Jazz achievements, and his contributions as a composer and educator are invaluable.
Overall, this is an absolutely exemplary Jazz classic piano trio recording, which combines ideally the tradition with the innovation, and as such is a true must in every decent European Jazz record collection. It is not so easy to get hold of these days, but if you are able to find a copy don’t even blink! Pure gold from start to finish!
| | Updated: 18/06/2023Posted: 18/06/2023 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ENRICO PIERANUNZI ~ FROM ALWAYS TO NOW
ALFA MUSIC 222 (Barcode: 8032050019291) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1978 - 2002 Released: 2019
This is a reissue / remaster of the fourth album as a leader by the legendary Italian pianist / composer / bandleader Enrico PieranunziFind albums by this artist, originally released in 1978. It was recorded in a duo / trio / quartet setting with saxophonist Maurizio GiammarcoFind albums by this artist, bassist Bruno TommasoFind albums by this artist and drummer Roberto GattoFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, four of which are original compositions by Pieranunzi, one is by Giammarco and two are standards. This reissue adds a duo with saxophonist Rosario GiulianiFind albums by this artist, recorded in 2002, as a bonus track.
The music is, as expected, absolutely stunning, with Pieranunzi displaying his dazzling virtuosity, playing mostly up tempo tunes with ferocious speed, but a ballad or two balances the mood as well. All the other players are also excellent, and this album presents them in their early stages of their career, like Gatto, who was only 20 years old at the time and this was his debut recording.
Already at this early stage of his career Pieranunzi clearly displays the characteristics, which will become his trademarks for many years to come: dazzling technique, great sense of melody, superbly crafted compositions and total dedication to his music.
Overall, this is a classic album and an excellent document of Italian Jazz of the late 1970s. Kudos to Alfa Music for saving this gem from oblivion, enabling many new listeners to get exposed to this music, which despite being over four decades old, still shines and sounds as brightly, as it did at the time it was originally released.
| | Updated: 04/03/2023Posted: 04/03/2023 | CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Bonus Tracks 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 |
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