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

CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend

PAOLO FRESU ~ 5 ORIGINAL ALBUMS BLUE NOTE 602557224900 (Barcode: 602557224900) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2004 - 2005 Released: 2016 This Box Set collects reissues of five albums by the iconic Italian trumpeter / composer / bandleader Paolo FresuFind albums by this artist, originally released on the Blue NoteFind albums on this label label between 2005 and 2007. They are: ”KosmopolitiesFind albums with this title“, “P.A.R.T.EFind albums with this title”, “IncantamentoFind albums with this title”, “ThinkingFind albums with this title” and “Rosso, Verde, Giallo E BluFind albums with this title”. The first four albums were recorded in 2004 and the fifth in 2005 by the same quintet, which also includes saxophonist Tino TracannaFind albums by this artist, pianist Roberto CipelliFind albums by this artist, bassist Attillio ZanchiFind albums by this artist and drummer Ettore FioravantiFind albums by this artist. Each of the albums is dedicated to the music composed on one of the quintet members: Cipelli, Zanchi, Tracanna, Fioravanti and Fresu correspondingly. The music is all modern mainstream Jazz oriented, with typical Italian lyricism and highly melodic approach, which never fails to produce brilliant flow and harmony. The performances are also stellar, with Fresu playing his heart out and the quintet swinging superbly. Although Fresu recorded many excellent albums and being incredibly prolific, his recorded legacy is truly enormous. However, these quintet recordings are for me one of his best achievements. I have followed Fresu’s path since his early days and he is definitely one of my favorite Jazz trumpeters, never failing to be graceful and wonderfully creative. Overall, these five albums are absolutely wonderful and present a coherent recording project, which portrays Italian / European mainstream Jazz at its absolute best! Side Note The "Original Album SeriesFind albums with this title" by Warner Bros.Find albums on this label, the "Original Album ClassicsFind albums with this title" by SonyFind albums on this label, the "5 Original AlbumsFind albums with this title" by UniversalFind albums on this label, the Box Sets by RhinoFind albums on this label and other similar releases are an archetypal example of how good intentions turn sour. Although these new editions often bring back to life some of the best music ever made on this planet, which in many cases has been lost in the tides of time and was unavailable on the market for ages, they suffer from an unforgivable disregard for the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires as to treat our Cultural Legacy with respect and loyalty. The Box Sets produced under these monikers have no discographical information whatsoever about the lineups, musician names, composers, lyricists, dates and places of recording, original release data and even basic copyright data (the last is strictly illegal BTW). Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, they are often edited and information (which would be in most cases too small to be readable) is removed. Most importantly these Box Sets don't include any booklet offering a historical background and perspective about the Artists and the Music, which are extremely important and vital to the preservation of our Culture and passing the knowledge to the next generations. In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap. Considering the fact how many times this music has been sold over and over again by the labels, this is a crying shame!

Updated: 07/04/2022Posted: 07/04/2022

CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Recommend To A Friend