Label: Losen Records, 2020
Personnel - Ralph Alessi: trumpet; Tommaso Iacoviell: flugelhorn; Simone Alessandrini: alto and soprano saxophones; Nazareno Caputo: vibraphone, marimba; Manuel Magrini: piano; Ferdinando Romano: double bass; Giovanni Paolo Liguori: drums.
The music of Italian bassist Ferdinando Romano beautifully captures the melodicism and relaxation so characteristic of the Italian jazz scene, but also ventures outside this scope at some point. On Totem, a collection of eight original compositions, Romano’s base quintet is augmented by American trumpeter Ralph Alessi, an esteemed ECM artist and improviser to be reckoned with, and flugelhorn player Tommaso Iacoviello, on six and three selections, respectively.
Helming the ensemble with personality, Romano devises the opener, “The Gecko”, with an uncluttered aesthetic. His bass pedal, a laid-back projection of the rhythm team’s simpatico support, sets a cool pace with Alessi bringing more light into the setting, whether through brisk phrases full of rhythmic intention, whether through the injection of dulcet melody. This number also counts on the soloing capabilities of vibist Nazareno Caputo and pianist Manuel Magrini.
“Evocation” works as a bass prelude to “Wolf Totem”, an odd-metered piece inspired on the novel of the same name by Jiang Rong. You may enjoy the soprano-trumpet unisons as part of the theme, seamless modulations, and absorbing improvisations - Magrini’s refined rhythmic touch is complemented with underlying harmonic fits, while Alessi shows off a sophisticated language with a great sound and extended pitch range.
On the ballad “Curly”, a bass solo emerges right after the main statement, and then Alessi conjures up Miles Davis during his muted trumpet improv. Also utterly relaxing, “Memories Reprise” is an evocative brushed waltz introduced by arco bass and enriched by resplendent melodies shaped by Iacoviello. Yusef Lateef, Enrico Pieranunzi and Kenny Wheeler are some of the names that popped up into my head while listening to this old Romano tune, rewrote and rearranged for this album.
“Sea Crossing”, probably inspired by the immigration problem that Italy keeps facing over the years, is divided into two parts, the first of which denoting a funny cadence with horns and vibes in complete communion with the piano, which ends the piece unaccompanied and in a melancholic way. In between, my attention turned to Paolo Liguori’s conspicuous drumming, especially during the trumpet solo, and Simone Alessandrini’s saxophone stretch, here placed on top of a noisier accompaniment.
“Mirrors”, one of the most absorbing pieces on the album, has the band performing curious mutations within a dedicated interplay. Probing other territories, the ensemble’s procedures flow from relative introspection into layers of shape-shifting energy.
Investing in the collective’s unity, Romano does a pretty competent job.
Grade B+
Favorite Tracks:
03 - Wolf Totem ► 07 - Memories Reprise ► 08 - Mirrors