Record Reviews

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: 07/04/2023

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ENRICO PIERANUNZI ~ FROM ALWAYS TO NOW ALFA MUSIC 222 (Barcode: 8032050019291) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1978 - 2002 Released: 2019 This is a reissue / remaster of the fourth album as a leader by the legendary Italian pianist / composer / bandleader Enrico PieranunziFind albums by this artist, originally released in 1978. It was recorded in a duo / trio / quartet setting with saxophonist Maurizio GiammarcoFind albums by this artist, bassist Bruno TommasoFind albums by this artist and drummer Roberto GattoFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, four of which are original compositions by Pieranunzi, one is by Giammarco and two are standards. This reissue adds a duo with saxophonist Rosario GiulianiFind albums by this artist, recorded in 2002, as a bonus track. The music is, as expected, absolutely stunning, with Pieranunzi displaying his dazzling virtuosity, playing mostly up tempo tunes with ferocious speed, but a ballad or two balances the mood as well. All the other players are also excellent, and this album presents them in their early stages of their career, like Gatto, who was only 20 years old at the time and this was his debut recording. Already at this early stage of his career Pieranunzi clearly displays the characteristics, which will become his trademarks for many years to come: dazzling technique, great sense of melody, superbly crafted compositions and total dedication to his music. Overall, this is a classic album and an excellent document of Italian Jazz of the late 1970s. Kudos to Alfa Music for saving this gem from oblivion, enabling many new listeners to get exposed to this music, which despite being over four decades old, still shines and sounds as brightly, as it did at the time it was originally released.

Updated: 04/03/2023Posted: 04/03/2023

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