Record Reviews

ENRICO RAVA ~ EASY LIVING ECM 1760 (Barcode: 602498120507) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2003 Released: 2004 Italian trumpeter / composer Enrico RavaFind albums by this artist is one of the forefathers of modern European Jazz and his contributions to the genre since the 1960s are invaluable. This album reflects his continuous involvement with the current Jazz scene, which he has maintained over the years. It presents his all-Italian quintet with younger, but excellent players: Gianluca PetrellaFind albums by this artist, pianist Stefano BollaniFind albums by this artist, bassist Rosario BonaccorsoFind albums by this artist and drummer Roberto GattoFind albums by this artist. Of the eight compositions on this album seven are Rava originals and one is a standard. The compositions and the performances are superb all the way and reflect the extraordinary strength of the Italian Jazz scene in the last decades with scores of talented young musicians active. Highly recommended!

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ENRICO RAVA ~ TRIBE ECM 2218 (Barcode: 602527669700) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2010 Released: 2011 This album presents an elderly Master surrounded by his disciples, or in other words veteran Italian trumpeter / composer Enrico RavaFind albums by this artist with his all Italian and very young current quintet, which includes trombonist Gianluca PetrellaFind albums by this artist, pianist Giovanni GuidiFind albums by this artist, bassist Gabriele EvagelistaFind albums by this artist and drummer Fabrizio SferraFind albums by this artist. On four of the twelve tracks the quintet is expanded into a sextet with the addition of guitarist Giacomo AncillottoFind albums by this artist. In spite of the age difference, and perhaps thanks to it, the resulting music is simply fabulous. Rava´s often difficult compositions are treated with utmost respect by his fellow musicians, with each and every one on them adding his very personal touch, and the combined efforts simply work out wonderfully well. Although somewhat melancholic and somehow deliberately slow, the music manages to keep the listener involved it its development and mesmerized. Of course the level of musicianship is excellent throughout, but that by itself is often not enough to make the music worthwhile. It is the leader´s vision and his sense of direction that makes the music become a work of Art and enables the listener to enjoy it even at the most intricate moments. So regardless of what some critics may tell you, this is a remarkable album, artistically fulfilling and aesthetically satisfying, well worth your money and a source of many enjoyable moments of music. Don´t even think twice about it!

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