Record Reviews

GIANCARLO ROMANI ~ NAIF ALFA MUSIC 230 (Barcode: 8032050020112) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2020 This is the debut album by Italian trumpeter / composer Giancarlo RomaniFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with pianist Gianluca MassettiFind albums by this artist, bassists Giuseppe SalvaggioFind albums by this artist (electric) and Jacopo FerrazzaFind albums by this artist (acoustic) and drummer Giampaolo ScatozzaFind albums by this artist. Several guests appear on selected tracks. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Romani. A bonus tracks offers one of the compositions in an alternate version. The music is absolutely beautiful, threading a line between modern Jazz and sophisticated Fusion, but first and foremost it is deeply melodic and lyrical, which of course is hardly surprising when talking about Italian Jazz. There is something in the Italian soul that enables the composers to weave such heartbreakingly melodic and harmonically perfect tunes, that capture the listener completely helpless. But beyond the strictly melodic contents the album offers wonderful instrumental work as well. Romani has a sweet mellow tone, which is ideal for this kind of music, and his performances are like hot chocolate on top of a cake. Massetti is a superb keyboardist and his soloing and accompaniment keep the music together harmonically and set the dynamics. His Fender Rhodes parts are a beautiful reminder of the times when this instrument changed the face of Jazz taking the music on its electric path. Both bassists, each in his domain, supply the perfect foundation and Scatozza, one of Italian best drummers today, is elegantly setting the pace, always highly respective. The leader skillfully inserted the guests exactly in the right places, optimizing the overall sound of the album, without overdoing things. The guest saxophonists skillfully build a more dominant brass sound, which enhances the music significantly and the other instruments create tasteful ornamentation. Overall this is a superbly mature debut album, on which Romani demonstrates his skills as a composer, arranger and trumpet player and which is a true joy to listen to. Well done and highly recommended!

Updated: 15/04/2021Posted: 15/04/2021

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

BOB SALMIERI ~ …AND MAMA WAS A BELLY DANCER CULTURAL BRIDGE 2101 (Barcode: 607816280451) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is an album by Italian saxophonist / composer Bob SalmieriFind albums by this artist recorded in quintet setting with trumpeter Giancarlo RomaniFind albums by this artist, pianist / organist Vincenzo LucarelliFind albums by this artist, bassist Maurizio PerroneFind albums by this artist and drummer Massimiliano De LucaFind albums by this artist. Polish vibraphonist Mateusz NawrotFind albums by this artist guests on three tracks. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Salmieri. This album, created amidst the dark period of world pandemic, is a wonderful proof of the fact that music not only heals but also keeps as sane. It is now a year since many of us hardly managed to leave our homes and ware almost completely cut off from what we, the human species and especially those of the Mediterranean origin, need the most: contact with our kind, a smile, a warm embrace, a feeling of togetherness. Cut off from contact with other people we always turn inwards, into our dreams and memories. It is therefore hardly surprising that Bob Salmieri sought inspiration for this music in his childhood, re-imagining some characters from a spectacle he saw as a child. This idea resulted in a string of wonderfully coherent melodic themes, which are full of romance, lyricism and reflection. For many listeners this music will sound very Bluesy, but to be honest the Mediterranean Culture has had its own Blues for Centuries, in many different shapes and forms: Rebetiko, Neapolitan, Flamenco, Jewish and Arabic music are full of intrinsic “Blues” atmosphere. The change of instrumentation, especially the addition of organ, trumpet and vibraphone (a cooperation with a young Polish musician Mateusz Nawrot, who guests on three tracks), caused a crystallization of Salmieri’s style, achieving perhaps the most convincing form of what he calls Mediterranean Jazz. The music has a superb natural flow and vitality, which simply makes the listener wish to hear more. Moving between reflective, melancholic and even sad moments and energetic, lively and obviously happy ones, this music is like life itself, constantly moving between sweet and bitter. I am looking forward to see you and all my friends around the world in person soon; it has been way too long. In Music we trust! Side Note The above are my liner notes included on this album's artwork. I am honored when asked by the Artists to write liner notes for their albums, always hoping that my words reflect the true spirit of the music. This is also a symbol of our mutual respect and friendship developed over the years. The same is also true when Record Labels ask me to write liner notes for their releases, mostly in the case of reissues of archival albums, which is a symbol of their appreciation of my knowledge and historical perspective and my recognition of their dedication to the preservation of the history of recorded music and the effort to keep human Culture and Aesthetics alive.

Updated: 14/04/2021Posted: 14/04/2021

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend