Record Reviews
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  | CMC ENSEMBLE ~ CONTRA PUNCTA
LOSEN 185 (Barcode: 7090025831850) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017
This is an album by the Italian CMC EnsembleFind albums by this artist, comprising of music students led by their teacher / saxophonist Nicola PisaniFind albums by this artist. After the group won a contest for young musicians, a decision was made to record an album and two older musicians were invited to strengthen the lineup: the French tuba player Michel GodardFind albums by this artist and Italian trumpeter Marco SanniniFind albums by this artist. The young members of the ensemble are: vocalist Erica GagliardiFind albums by this artist, saxophonist / clarinetist Francesco CaligiuriFind albums by this artist, pianist Giuseppe SantelliFind albums by this artist, bassist Carlo CiminoFind albums by this artist and drummer Giacinto MaiorcaFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten original compositions, three by Pisani, two each by Godard and Sannini and one each by Santelli, Maiorca and Cimino.
The music is quite versatile, displaying typical European Jazz characteristics, with strong melodic themes, influenced by Classical and Word Music. All the compositions are quite complex, using several melody lines and frequent tempo changes, odd meters and other tricks of the trade to make the music fascinating and unpredictable. The compositions by the students stand easily on the same level to those by their Masters.
The performances are all heartfelt and enthusiastic, creating an ensemble sound rather than a group of individuals playing together. The use of vocalese as one of the instruments is very effective and creates a unique sound experience for the entire ensemble. Godard´s tuba is also a refreshing addition. Cimino is a great bass player, who manages to hold the ensemble together and Caligiuri´s baritone saxophone solos are one of the highlight of this album.
This album is a great example of the vitality of the young generation of European Jazz musicians all over the Continent, which manages to find new ways of expression and to push the boundaries of the Jazz idiom constantly.
Overall this is an unusual and interesting album, which is definitely worth of being investigated!
| | Updated: 11/02/2018Posted: 11/02/2018 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | DINO MASSA QUARTET ~ SUITE POUR LE PIANO (FOR JAZZ QUARTET)
LOSEN 179 (Barcode: 7090025831799) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017
This is an album by Italian pianist / composer Dino MassaFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with saxophonist Nicola PisaniFind albums by this artist, bassist Luca GarlaschelliFind albums by this artist and drummer Alessandro RossiFind albums by this artist. It presents a four part suite for Jazz quartet, composed by Massa.
The music incorporates elements of European Classical Music and European Jazz, based on firm melodic statements and steady rhythmic patterns, with just occasional deviations from predictable outlines. It is difficult to follow a coherent suite-like development in this music and therefore the title is probably more an allegory than a description.
Massa is a very busy player and his long arpeggios and strong chords dominate the music. Pisani, who plays both the soprano and the baritone saxophones, contributes most of the melodic content and improvises extensively. The rhythm section supports the soloist amicably, with the bassist playing a few short solos on the way.
Overall this is a nice, but not especially remarkable European Jazz album, which left me cold, perhaps due to the fact that the recording sound is rather dull and fails to express the details, which are always very important.
| | Updated: 15/07/2017Posted: 15/07/2017 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
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