Aldo Romano - Chante (2005)

Chante is an exemplary cultivation of Aldo Romano's jardín of romantic songs. His poignant intimacy of feelings is genuinely conveyed in this stylish set of emotional songs replete with rhythmic waves, passionate lyrics, and beautiful music. With superb accompaniment from Nelson Veras on acoustic guitar, Rémi Vignolo on double bass, André "Dee" Ceccarelli on drums, Francesco Bearzatti on tenor saxophone and clarinet, Flavio Boltro on trumpet, and Baptiste Trotignon on piano, the pleasure you will derive from Romano's poetic expressions is priceless. Whether you're enjoying the quiet, joie aimer of Cole Porter's "So in Love" with a special person or at your leisure in a dignified daydream by the "L' Étang" on a sunny carefree day, you're sure to yield to the romantic allurement of Aldo Romano's wonderful voice. Chante's seduction is in the taste and swagger of Romano's delivery, arrangements, and song selection. "A St Germain Des Prés," sung in French, brings you close to a lover in a Parisian café. "The End of a Love Affair," which is sung in accented English, drips with forlorn charm, while "Lo Qui Tu Li" is a slow-burning love affair featuring supermodel Carla Bruni. Their flawless pairing offers listeners an imaginative setting that brings to mind a champagne sunset sail for two. With extra spice from the accompanying string ensemble, this song is the centerpiece of the recording. The ultra-romantic "Sans Un Mot" is a ballad that is tinged with the easy-to-cozy-up-to saxophonics of Francesco Bearzatti. Here, Romano's voice is an irresistible art form that beckons you to curl up on a canopied bed with cocktail in hand. It resonates with sex appeal and is as unique as two lovers. "Estate" further seals Aldo's diverse set of influences in a charming envelope of passionate musical innovation. A beautiful piano solo by Baptiste Trotignon keeps the song soft and calm in a mosaic of idyllic improvisations. ~ by Paula Edelstein, AMG. 

Dreyfus Jazz, 346050366862, 2005
Recorded May-June 2005 at Studio Ferber, Paris, France 

Musicians:
Aldo Romano - Vocals, Arranger (#1)
Flavio Boltro - Trumpet
Francesco Bearzatti - Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, Arranger (#2,10)
Baptiste Trotignon - Piano
Nelson Veras - Guitar, Guitar [Acoustic]
Rémi Vignolo - Bass, Contrabass
André Ceccarelli - Drums
Carla Bruni - Vocals (#3)
Rita Marcotulli - Arranger (#1) 

Orchestra:
Jean Claude Petit - Arranger, Conductor 

Strings:
Alain Kouznetzoff, Carol Saint Michel, Christophe Guiot, Marie-Hélène Clausse,
Yves Melon, Véronique Guay, Thierry Huchin, Karine Ato, Armand Nuvolone,
Yué Zhang, Laurent Philipp, Hélène Blazy, Paul Rouger, Karen Khochafian,
Marc Desmons, Natacha Tchitch, Daniel Vagner, Noelle Santos, Jean-Michel Lenert,
Fanny Coupé, Matthieu Rogué, Nathalie Gaudemer, Philippe Feret, Emma Savouret,
Emmanuel Gaugué, Clémentine Meyer, Gwénaelle Feret 

Woodwinds:
Marc Chantereau, Jean-François Verdier, Bruno Martinez, Anne Regnier,
Jean-François Duquenois, Frédéric Chatoux, Frédéric Hochain, Stéphane Limonaire 

Tracks:
01. Les Enfants S'Ennuient Le Dimanche {Charles Trenet} (4:52)
02. A St Germain Des Prés {Léo Ferré} (4:02)
03. Io Qui Tu Li {Nicky Nicolaï, Aldo Romano} (5:18)
04. Avec Les Anges {Marguerite Monnot, Alexandre Breffort} (2:53)
05. The End Of A Love Affair {Edward Redding} (4:13)
06. Sans Un Mot {Yves Simon, Aldo Romano} (4:35)
07. La Valse Des Lilas {Eddy Marnay, Michel Legrand, Eddy Barclay} (4:48)
08. Les Papillons De Nuit {Claude Nougaro, Aldo Romano} (3:45)
09. Estate {Bruno Brighetti, Bruno Martino} (4:19)
10. Rue De Douai {Claude Nougaro, Aldo Romano} (4:06)
11. L' Étang {Paul Misraki} (4:26)
12. So In Love {Cole Porter} (3:58)
13. Les Clowns {Gianni Esposito} (3:58) 

Total Time: 55:18 

Credits:
Producer - Aldo Romano, Francis Dreyfus
Executive Producer- Christian Pégand
Arranger, Director - Jean-Claude Petit
Sound Engineer - René Ameline
Assistant - Laurent Binder
Assistant, Mastering Assistant - Benjamin Joubert
Photography - Sonia Sieff 

Les Enfants S'Ennuient Le Dimanche

Moutin Réunion Quartet - Red Moon (2004)

Avant-garde music is not my cup of tea: I usually find it dark and formless, and the more "out" it goes, the faster I turn it off. But when I heard the opening track here, a bass and drum derangement of "La Mer," I was struck by how playful it could be. Same thing for the next and title track, a driving funk/Latin mix, where pianist Baptiste Trotignon and saxophonist Rick Margitza join the party, contributing to the genial celebration. I was surprised that I could not only follow the journey, but enjoy it as well. Either my ears have grown after a decade of reviewing, or these guys have produced something special. Perhaps both. In any case, the leaders are twin brothers, Francois and Louis Moutin, who offer four originals each, as well as two standards arranged by Francois. The "reunion" reflects Francois's return after leaving the first Moutin group in 1996 for the US. The music is bold, with intricate rhythms and intriguing harmonies. Trotignon's piano knits the quartet together with melodic silk, supple and strong. "Apollo 13" conveys the power and mystery of space flight, with Margitza soaring, as he does on "Sailing Through the Clouds." "Taking Flight" makes the most out of a simple riff; "New-York Silly" is full of the Apple's energy, while "Soroya" is a moody ballad. "Stompin' at the Savoy" becomes more like "Slinkin' at the Savoy" in Francois's fresh conception. This is original, exciting, well-crafted music; it will definitely challenge those used to swimming in the mainstream, but the rewards of listening are many. ~ by Dr. Judith Schlesinger, AAJ. 

Nocturne Records, NTCD 337, 2004
Recorded 21st, 22nd & 23rd May, 2003 at Acoustic Recording, Brooklyn, New York 

Musicians:
François Moutin - Double Bass
Louis Moutin - Drums
Rick Margitza - Saxophone
Baptiste Trotignon - Piano 

Tracks:
01. La Mer {Charles Trénet} (3:53)
02. Red Moon {Louis Moutin} (8:18)
03. Apollo 13th {François Moutin} (9:14)
04. Soraya {François Moutin} (5:29)
05. Jazz Married {Louis Moutin} (6:17)
06. Taking Off {François Moutin} (7:20)
07. Sailing Through The Clouds {Louis Moutin} (7:49)
08. New-York Silly {François Moutin} (7:13)
09. Elle Aime {Louis Moutin} (4:45)
10. Stompin' At The Savoy' {Chick Webb} (2:23) 

Total Time: 60:43 

Credits:
Recording & Mixing - Michael Brorby
Mastering - Steve Fallone
Graphic Design - Renaud Barès
Liner Notes - Dan Doyle