Label: Emme Record Label, 2022
Personnel - Simone Basile: guitar; Manuel Caliumi: saxophones; Enzo Carniel: piano; Ferdinando Romano: double bass; Giovanni Paolo Liguori: drums.
Inspired by the spirituality that emerges from Indian ragas, Italian guitarist/composer Simone Basile put together nine tightly composed numbers for a session whose contemporaneity and adaptability are very much on display.
Following “Bob Alert”, an effect-drenched guitar introduction with an enveloping role and the words of Bob Kennedy in the back, we can perceive that the members of this quintet are far from strangers. By sharing artistic sensibilities and an uncanny musical rapport, the group mounts “Morning Raga”, the most beautiful track on the record, with a dazzling collective aptitude. A stunning entrance motivated by thematic cohesiveness gives the song a great hook that is expanded by the soloists - saxophonist Manuel Caliumi and Basile - who fly through the clever changes with expressiveness. Employing a cool tone, the former finds a few pauses to better shape his well-developed phrases; the latter brings emotion and excitement during a resonating guitar statement. These same two musicians engage in a dynamic dialogue on “Moak’s Shop”, a tune with agreeable melodicism and rich harmonic pavement, and fight a pacific duel with distinct timbres on the rock-shaded “Macci 36”, where spotless parallel lines go well with the rhythmic certainty underneath.
“Hope” is played unhurriedly and rubato in one moment, and with a throbbing, prayerful vagueness next. It combines bowed bass, atmospheric guitar, tremolo piano textures, toms and cymbal enlightenment, and serviceable saxophone lines. “Hamsadhwani” is a raga flowing in five with persistent Eastern tinges and fusion undertones materialized by the French keyboardist Enzo Carniel. The crisp unison melody of the theme reveals a relative complexity that never overshadows accessibility.
With his latest release, Basile proves his growth in the art of music making. And a nice, flowing energy comes out of his compelling compositional efforts.
Favorite Tracks:
02 - Morning Raga ► 03 - Moak’s Shop ► 06 - Hope