Label: Auand Records, 2019
Personnel - Claudio Vignali: piano, Korg MS20, synth, electronics; Rob Mazurek: piccolo trumpet, electronics; Daniele Principato: electronics, real time loop remix, midi guitar.
Classically-trained Italian pianist/composer Claudio Vignali delves into hypnotic manipulations of sound, and the result is a genre-defying ‘lab’ album titled Rach Mode On. Playing alongside American trumpeter Rob Mazurek and fellow countryman Daniele Principato, who co-wrote the pieces and is at the helm of the real time loop remix, the pianist explores nine originals whose skeletal structures incorporate electronics, improvisation and tradition.
Whereas “Little Light” is invaded with a muffled beat, glitchy and computery elements, and trumpet melody, the title track features a more regular, impulsive heartbeat, erudite classical piano, spoken word samples, and the ethereal choir-like vocalizations of guests Selena Zaniboni and Enrico Ferri. You can think of it as an improbable crossing between Vangelis, Rachmaninoff, and Brian Eno.
“Dark” and “A Ship in the Abyss” are noir experiments. The former has classical piano moves morphing into trance-like synth-heavy stuff underpinned by breakbeats, while the latter, wrapped up in a mix of dreamy and gloomy tones, has soft electronic components enriching its minimal motions. Both tunes benefit from Mazurek’s dramatically expansive lines, which wander off with no particular destination.
Electronically emulating a string quartet, “Il Fauno” starts as a sort of thrilling chamber piece but ends with snazzy jazzy vibes capable of making you dance. The piano becomes arpeggiated on “Hexagonal”, an avant-garde cut whose intimate observations soar with both cool and coiling trumpet activity, distorted drum machine vibes, and ambient synth.
Silhouetted with sturdy low-pitched movements, “Sublimination” concludes this futuristic voyage within a minimalist atmospheric current that recalls some of Philip Glass’ works.
Rach Mode On is crafted with a carefully planned electro-acoustic sound design that should attract alternative electronic audiences rather than habitual jazz followers. Ear-openness is the key factor to get into this music.
Grade B+
Favorite Tracks:
04 - Dark ► 05 - A Ship in the Abyss ► 06 - Il Fauno