Record Reviews
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  | PIERLUIGI BALDUCCI ~ BLUE FROM HEAVEN
DODICILUNE 303 (Barcode: 8033309693033) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2012 Released: 2012
This is an album by Italian electric bassist / composer Pierluigi BalducciFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with American oboist / saxophonist Paul McCandlessFind albums by this artist, British pianist John TaylorFind albums by this artist and Italian drummer Michele RabbiaFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, one of which is a bonus alternate take, all but two composed by Balducci and one each by Brad MehldauFind albums by this artist and Charlie HadenFind albums by this artist. The album was released by the excellent Italian DodiciluneFind albums on this label label, which is the home of many excellent albums.
The music is a superb collection of mostly original compositions, brilliantly executed by the quartet of first class musicians. Balducci’s electric bass is given a lot of exposure, as appropriate for a leader / composer, and his playing is wonderfully melodic and round. McCandless is given most of the solo space, and he is the usual “Pied Piper of Hamelin”, weaving the endless oboe and soprano saxophone parts, like only he is able to. Tylor is, as always, heartbreakingly lyrical and provides sublime harmonic support and occasional brilliant solos. Rabbia keeps the proceeding rolling in a tight rhythmic frame. Together they are simply a blissful European Jazz experience.
McCandless, although American, is an ideal partner here, as his approach to Music in general, and Jazz in particular, always was much more open and appreciative of European aesthetics, as well as World Music influences, making him a true Global artist. His work with Oregon and his extended recording legacy, which spans well over a hundred albums, earned him a universal respect among his musical peers.
Overall, this is a wonderful album, full of beautiful lyrical music, with perfect harmonies and heartwrenching melodic themes, performed by some of the best musicians out there, and although probably completely unfamiliar to most Jazz listeners, is absolutely worth being discovered, which I wholeheartedly recommend of course.
| | Updated: 17/03/2026Posted: 29/01/2025 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | MCCANDLESS / TAYLOR / BALDUCCI / RABBIA ~ EVANSIANA
DODICILUNE 365 (Barcode: 8033309693651) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2014 Released: 2017
This is a brilliant, and sadly quite obscure album by the international Jazz quartet comprising of American saxophonist / clarinetist / oboist Paul McCandlessFind albums by this artist (of OregonFind albums by this artist fame), British pianist John TaylorFind albums by this artist and Italian rhythm section: bass guitarist Pierluigi BalducciFind albums by this artist and drummer Michele RabbiaFind albums by this artist. As the title (subtly) suggests, the music is a tribute to the legendary American pianist / composer Bill EvansFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, seven of which are compositions by Evans and the remaining three are by Leonard BernsteinFind albums by this artist, Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and Miles DavisFind albums by this artist, all fitting the bill (sic) perfectly.
The idea of the album’s producer Gabriele RampinoFind albums by this artist was to present Evan’s music in a European Jazz perspective and his choice of Taylor was of course ideal, as amongst the many great European pianists, Taylor obviously represented the same lyrical approach to Jazz composition and performance, as Evans, with a specific European flavoring naturally. The choice of McCandless was similarly accurate, as among all the American reedmen, he was always closest to the European harmonic and melancholic sensibilities, rather than traditional American Blues oriented tendencies. The two Italians complete the lineup naturally, supporting the two soloist amicably and tastefully, even if the electric bass in these circumstances might have risen a brow.
Overall, this is a gentle, beautiful piece of music, which firmly belongs in every collection of recordings by John Taylor, and which can be still found on the DodiciluneFind albums on this label site, along many splendid albums this Italian label released over time. For dedicated British Jazz followers, this is of course an absolute must!
| | Updated: 17/03/2026Posted: 17/03/2026 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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