Record Reviews

ROBERTO ZANETTI ~ BUD`S POWER TRJ 106 (Barcode: 8146520231066) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is an album by Italian Jazz pianist / composer Roberto ZanettiFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with saxophonist Valerio PontrandolfoFind albums by this artist, bassist Martino De FranceschiFind albums by this artist and drummer Oreste SoldanoFind albums by this artist. Cellist Matteo ZanettiFind albums by this artist and speaker Nicolo SordoFind albums by this artist guest on the opening and closing tracks. The album presents thirteen tracks, ten of which were composed by the great American pianist / composer Bud PowellFind albums by this artist, one of the Godfathers of Bebop, to whom, as the title suggests, the album is dedicated. One track is by is a standard by the British pianist / composer George ShearingFind albums by this artist and the a.m. opening and closing tracks are by Roberto Zanetti. The music is a delightful reminder of the great compositions by Powell, performed elegantly and flawlessly by the quartet, with obvious affection and respect to the subject matter. It is all mainstream Jazz of course, which does not try to reinvent anything, but certainly is a loving tribute to a great composer, who deserves to be remembered, and offers a pleasant listening experience, accessible to a wide Jazz listening audience. Overall, this is a classic quartet Jazz recording, which offers elegant treatments of the music by the great Bud Powell, which is always worth being listening to, especially when one mainstream Jazz is not on one’s daily menu. Zanetti, as usual, delivers what he does best – playing wonderfully melodic music, which makes one smile. Thanks Roberto!

Updated: 10/06/2023Posted: 10/06/2023

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ROBERTO ZANETTI ~ MOTHER AFRICA COMAR23 0121 ~ ITALY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2021 Released: 2021 This is the seventh album by Italian pianist / composer Roberto ZanettiFind albums by this artist and his quartet, which also includes saxophonist Valerio PontrandolfoFind albums by this artist, bassist Luca PisaniFind albums by this artist and drummer Massimo ChiarellaFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve tracks, ten of which are original compositions by Zanetti and two are arrangements of traditional melodies. As the album’s title suggests, the music is a tribute to African music, which is, according to Zanetti, the source of XX and XXI Century music, including Jazz of course. The result is a pretty straightforward mainstream Jazz album, based on the highly melodic compositions by the leader, with a tinge of Blues, Swing and other early Jazz sources. The melodies are quite European, which after all is hardly surprising, but the references to African music can be easily recognized throughout. The four instrumentalists are obviously experienced and have a nice feel for the mainstream Jazz idiom, which results in a nice, smoothly flowing music, definitely on the lighter side of the Jazz spectrum. With the Avant-Garde and Improvised Music often dominating contemporary Jazz, albums like this one are a nice breath of nostalgic memories, when Jazz was a music people could dance to, or at least sway their bodies to the rhythm and hum the melody. Overall, the highly melodic content and elegant performances make this album accessible to a wide range of listeners, even beyond the strict Jazz circles and offer a most enjoyable listening experience.

Updated: 09/11/2021Posted: 09/11/2021

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ROBERTO ZANETTI ~ NO PROHIBITION UNIT CAT SOUND 190394470548 (Barcode: 190394470548) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016 This is an album by Italian Jazz pianist / composer Roberto ZanettiFind albums by this artist recorded with his quartet which also includes saxophonist Valerio PontrandolfoFind albums by this artist, bassist Luca PisaniFind albums by this artist and drummer Massimo ChiarellaFind albums by this artist. It presents ten original compositions, all by Zanetti. The album pays homage to the "Jazz Age", a name coined by F. Scott FitzgeraldFind albums by this artist, referring to a period in the American history, also called the Roaring Twenties (1920s), which ended with the Wall Street Crash and the Great Depression which followed. It was characterized by the Prohibition, but also by dramatic development of Art and Intellectualism, including the popularization of the Jazz idiom in America and Europe. The music presents a set of melodic compositions, well within the mainstream Jazz idiom and with a distinct nostalgic tinge, which suit the purpose although do not bear a resemblance to the actual music played in the 1920s. It is excellently performed by the quartet, but kept very solid and straightforward and as such appealing primarily to mainstream Jazz lovers. Zanetti´s melodies are the strongest asset of this album, being all well structured and enjoyable. The album is well recorded and overall is definitely worth checking out.

Updated: 09/11/2021Posted: 28/10/2016

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