Record Reviews

RICHARD GALLIANO ~ NINO ROTA DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 028947646150 (Barcode: 028947646150) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 Released: 2011 This is an album by French accordionist / composer Richard GallianoFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quintet setting with British saxophonist John SurmanFind albums by this artist, American trumpeter Dave DouglasFind albums by this artist, Russian (resident in US) bassist Boris KozlovFind albums by this artist and American drummer Clarence PennFind albums by this artist. As the title suggests, the album is dedicated to the cinematic music by the great Italian composer Nino RotaFind albums by this artist. The album presents twenty tracks, all but one composed by Rota and one is an original composition by Galliano, dedicated to Rota. Rota’s music was one of the most distinctive soundtracks of the Italian / European and later on also Hollywood cinema. His cooperation with Italian directors like Frederico FelliniFind albums by this artist, Luchino ViscontiFind albums by this artist and Franco ZeffirelliFind albums by this artist and later Francis Ford CoppolaFind albums by this artist, made his brilliant film scores world famous and everlasting. Galliano and the quintet’s treatment of Rota’s music is wonderfully balanced between the original melody lines and their Jazz interpretations, full of superb musicianship and imagination. Sometimes hidden from the eye (ear), at other times easily recognizable, the epic melodies fly one after another like scenes from b/w movies, and those of us, who experienced these brilliant films at their first exposures, are swept on a carpet ride through a sentimental journey, full of memories and emotions. These were definitely better times… Overall, this is a sublime interpretation of the cinematic music by Nino Rota, played by great Jazz instrumentalist and arranged, adapted and orchestrated with great care and aesthetic respect by Galliano. This is a breath of fresh air in every respect, perhaps not a typical Jazz album, but certainly one that leaves the listener with a wide smile and a tear in the eye…

Updated: 30/10/2023Posted: 30/10/2023

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KESTUTIS VAIGINIS ~ MUSICAL CONVERSATIONS NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 4772145016999) ~ LITHUANIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is an album by Lithuanian saxophonist / composer Kestutis VaiginisFind albums by this artist recorded in NY in a classic sextet setting with Russian (resident in US) trumpeter Alex SipiaginFind albums by this artist and Boris KozlovFind albums by this artist and American trombonist Andy HunterFind albums by this artist, pianist David KikoskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Donald EdwardsFind albums by this artist. A string quartet is featured on one track. The album presents eleven original compositions, four by the leader, two each by Sipiagin and Edwards and one each by Kikoski, Kozlov and Hunter. The music is all within the modern mainstream Jazz idiom, based on very solid and coherent compositions, including several lyrical ballads, which are excellent. The performances and the recording quality are absolutely perfect, as expected from these world class musicians. Most of the soloing is naturally performed by the leader, who plays soprano, alto and tenor saxophones and bass clarinet, all with the same level of excellence. But all the members of the sextet get ample opportunity to show their licks. Overall, this is a classic mainstream Jazz album, which offers first-rate music and performances from start to finish, diverse compositions and obvious aesthetic values. It is a relatively rare opportunity to hear Jazz originating from Lithuania, which is less prominent outside the country’s borders. It is also a wonderful proof of the camaraderie and complete lack of barriers between Jazz musicians from all over the world. One can only wish that similar harmony could be achieved in other areas. Very well done, indeed!

Updated: 21/02/2022Posted: 21/02/2022

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