FERDINANDO ROMANO & RALPH ALESSI - TOTEM [CD]

Cat. no: LOS2422
Format: CD
Barcode: 7090025832420
Release Date: 16th October 2020
Genre: Jazz

“This is the first recording as leader by the Italian bassist Ferdinando Romano and brings together a septet that has the appearance of a ‘classic’ line-up from the early to mid-1960s.

Certainly, the opening track, ‘Gecko’, would confirm this expectation, with a gently undulating bass line and carefully placed piano chords behind Ralph Alessi’s masterful trumpet playing merging to a combined horn / sax frontline.

In this tune, the bass, with its simple but insistent line, carries the tune, allowing solos and ensemble playing to work the chords.

Often, the tunes begin with a simple motif, say on bass, which is gradually lost as the tune develops. This is a deliberate decision on Romano’s part so that few of the tunes have a ‘head’ to which the band returns or an obvious verse-chorus-middle eight structure. As such, the tunes create their own atmosphere and internal logic in a manner which has more affinity to classical, composed music than jazz. Having said that, the rich notes of the bass and the elegant time-keeping of the drums remind you that you are listening to a well-drilled jazz band playing music with swing and verve.” - Chris Baber - Jazz Views

Personnel: Ralph Alessi: trumpet; Tommaso Iacoviello: flugelhorn; Simone Alessandrini: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone; Nazareno Caputo: vibraphone, marimba; Manuel Magrini: piano; Ferdinando Romano: double bass; Giovanni Paolo Liguori: drums.

Tracks: The Gecko / Evocation / Wolf Totem / Curly / Sea Crossing Part 1 / Sea Crossing Part 2 / Memories Reprise / Mirrors

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