8,232 Reviews
4,396 Visits Today
16,045,894 Visits So Far
This site uses
HTML5 & CSS3
We support
Mozilla Firefox
 

Record Reviews

Search

2 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.

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: 07/04/2023CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend

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: 15/04/2021CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

This site was designed and developed by Adam Baruch. All content (texts, photographs, graphics, sound files, etc.) on this web site © 2001-2025 Adam Baruch / Jazzis Ltd.