Record Reviews

FRESU / DI CASTRO / TAYLOR ~ CONTOS EGEA 039 (Barcode: 8015948000397) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1993 Released: 1993 This is a beautiful album by the international Jazz trio comprising of Italian trumpeter / composer Paolo FresuFind albums by this artist and bassist / composer Furio Di CastroFind albums by this artist and British pianist / composer John TaylorFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, four by Fresu, three by Di Castro and two by Taylor. The music is delicate and highly melodic / melancholic, totally acoustic and intimate in nature. The three musicians support each other amicably and they all solo extensively, offering truly sublime display of their musicality and brilliant technique. The trio format allows for each and every nuance and note played to be perfectly audible and the magic of the music created together lasts for the entire duration of the album, regardless if the music is played in the trio, duo or solo format at each specific moment. Fresu, one on my personal favorite European trumpeters, is a unique romantic, creating heartbreaking little touches like no other. Taylor was a Genius on unparalleled proportions and every touch of his fingers on the keyboard is a display of Artistry. Di Castro is one of the most imaginative and colorful European bassists. Together the trio perfectly symbolizes the European Jazz aesthetics and sophistication. The album was released on the Italian EGEA label, which is one of several excellent Italian labels, which offer numerous British and British-Italian Jazz recordings, like CAM Jazz and several smaller ones, all of which are worth following for listeners interested in first class European Jazz recordings. Overall, this is a beautiful album, delicate and fragile, full of super interplay between these Master musicians, and although recorded thirty years ago, is completely timeless and sounds exactly as relevant and convincing as it did at the time of its release, and as such is of course wholeheartedly recommended.

Updated: 03/02/2023Posted: 03/02/2023

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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

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TAYLOR / SWALLOW / MIRABASSI ~ NEW OLD AGE EGEA 104 (Barcode: 8015948001042) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2002 Released: 2005 This is a wonderful album by the international Jazz trio comprising of British pianist / composer John TaylorFind albums by this artist, American bass guitarist / composer Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist and Italian clarinetist / composer Gabriele MirabassiFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, composed (three each) by the trio members. The music is a delightful collection of sublime melodies, beautifully performed in a relaxed and intimate setting by Master musicians. Despite the presence of the electric bass, the aural atmosphere is completely acoustic and the superb recording allows hearing every little nuance and every note played. There are many musical influences, which produce the final result achieved here, like Classical Chamber Music and Folkloristic melody lines, all intertwined and correlated by these gifted musicians, who obviously enjoy immensely the mutual exchanges and playful attitude. There is a clear focus on the trialogue cooperation, rather than on individual soloing, but of course the album offers plenty of sublime and heartwarming performances, as expected from these Masters. The album was released on the Italian EGEAFind albums on this label label, which is one of several excellent Italian labels, which offer numerous British and British-Italian Jazz recordings, like CAM JazzFind albums on this label and several smaller ones, all of which are worth following for listeners interested in first class European Jazz recordings. Overall, this is a beautiful album, which offers profound musical energies full of typical European Jazz aesthetics and masterful playing by highly talented musicians. Perhaps a tad demanding for the average Jazz listener, but this is obviously a highly rewarding musical experience, which of course is wholeheartedly recommended.

Updated: 31/01/2023Posted: 31/01/2023

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PEO ALFONSI ~ ITACA EGEA 153 (Barcode: 8015948001530) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2008 Released: 2009 This is an album by Italian Jazz guitarist / composer Peo AlfonsiFind albums by this artist, recorded with clarinetists Gabriele MirabassiFind albums by this artist, American trumpeter Kyle GregoryFind albums by this artist, bassist Salvatore MaioreFind albums by this artist and percussionist Antonio MambelliFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven tracks, all of which are original compositions by Alfonsi. The music is exquisitely melodic, full of typical Italian lyricism and melodious passion, beautifully performed by all the participants, who play in various settings between duet and quintet. The music is entirely acoustic and the crystal clear sound quality lets the listener to hear every little nuance captured during the recording. This album is a perfect example of the Mediterranean Jazz, which is full of diverse folkloristic influences, with everything between Medieval Music, Romanticism and delicate Middle Eastern aromas. All the musicians are Masters of their instruments, with Mirabassi being probably the most renowned one, but they all play magnificently. Gregory is a great surprise, as his playing is totally free of the American Jazz mannerisms, and completely compatible with the European Jazz aesthetics, which prevail here. His sound fondly resembles that of the great Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist. Overall, this is a touching and wonderfully performed piece of music, which should satisfy even the most demanding music connoisseurs. I stumbled on this album by accident, but the revelation was absolutely overwhelming. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 04/03/2024Posted: 04/03/2024

CD 1 Digibook Recommend To A Friend