Record Reviews

ANTONGIULIO FOTI ~ HOLD FAST ALFA MUSIC 240 (Barcode: 8032050021034) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2021 Released: 2021 This is the debut album by young Italian pianist / composer Antongiulio FotiFind albums by this artist, recorded in a classic piano trio setting with bassist Jacopo FerrazzaFind albums by this artist and drummer Ettore FioravantiFind albums by this artist. Saxophonist Rosario GiulianiFind albums by this artist guests on two tracks and vocalist Daniela SpallettaFind albums by this artist guests on four tracks. The album presents eight tracks, seven of which are original compositions by the leader and one is an arrangement of a Pop song. The music is an absolutely brilliant modern European Jazz, based on excellent melodic themes and executed with gusto and elegance by the trio. Although I usually don’t like guests on piano trio albums, Giuliani’s saxophone parts are actually highly effective and the vocals are simply spectacular, which of course immediately prods me to check out more of Spalletta’s recordings, which promise to be a great fun. But this is first and foremost a piano trio album, and a great one at that. The trio manages to produce a perfectly balanced performance, with all three instrumentalists sharing the responsibility for carrying the tunes, supporting each other amicably. There is the lovely familiar Italian / Mediterranean tinge within the music, which is impossible to ignore, and which always finds the proper strings in my soul to resonate. Overall, this is a truly excellent album in every respect, with great compositions and elegant piano trio performances, spiced with some beautiful vocal parts. Wholeheartedly recommended – this guy is definitely going places if the American won’t destroy his talent (he just moved to the US).

Updated: 07/04/2023Posted: 07/04/2023

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