Paolo Damiani - Ladybird (2004)

After a first listen, Paolo Damiani's Ladybird leaves you with no fixed points to orient yourself within its musical and aesthetic inspiration. It escapes any classification and, if the aim remains to find an adequate genre, countless listenings would still be insufficient. As typical of Damiani's work, Ladybird is very thought out and structured. The first two songs, Habla del Sur and Era Destino, are compositions in harmony with the aesthetics of the Egea: light and sinuous melody, full of Mediterranean radiance, where Diana Torto's vocals seem like a song without words, counterpointed by the lyricism of Fresu's trumpet and flugelhorn. Despite the perfect orchestration of all the instruments and, in particular, the happy writing of the wind parts, the true protagonist of Ladybird is the voice of Diana Torto which, we repeat, can be appreciated above all because it does not indulge too much in cold vocal virtuosity, but her "singing" is always "inside" the melody of the various pieces. Only in the piece that gives the CD its title does the voice lose the foreground, hiding until it blends in with the other instruments and the result is in any case one of the best moments of the entire work and, effectively, the most representative of the compositional and orchestral talent of Damian. ~ Extract by Dario Gentili, Jazzitalia.net. [Translated from Italian] 

Egea Records, SCA 111, 2004
Recorded June, 2003 - February, 2004 in Perugia, Italy 

Musicians:
Paolo Damiani - Double Bass, Cello
Paolo Fresu - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Gianluca Petrella - Trombone
Achille Succi - Alto Saxophone, Bass Clarinet
Bebo Ferra - Guitar
Roberto Dani - Drums
Fulvio Maras - Percussion, Electronics
Diana Torto - Vocals 

Tracks:
1. Habla Del Sur {Paolo Damiani} (5:41)
2. Era Destino {Paolo Damiani} (5:54)
3. L'Amor Messo Da Parte {Paolo Damiani, Stefano Benni} (6:21)
4. Tango Lento {Paolo Damiani} (3:42)
5. Quello Che Non Voglio {Paolo Damiani, Stefano Benni} (9:00)
6. Cos'è Che Ti Fa Andare Così {Paolo Damiani} (5:19)
7. Argentiera {Paolo Damiani} (4:52)
8. Ladybird {Paolo Damiani} (6:40)
9. Nel Mare Sconfinato Di Un Segreto {Paolo Damiani} (8:56) 

Total Time: 56:30 

Credits:
Producer - Egea Records
Recording & Mixing Engineer - Angelo Cioffi
Management - Rosalba Di Raimondo
Cover Design - Annalisa Ciaramella
Graphic Design - Andrea Staiano
Photography - Adriano Scognamillo, Guy Le Querrec, Magnum Photos
Liner Notes - Stefano Benni, Elisa Ascione, Fabienne Palamidessi 

Quello Che Non Voglio

Riccardo Zegna - Barcarola (2002)

Riccardo Zegna is an Italian jazz pianist, an extraordinary soloist at the piano, who hates stardom and lives secluded in Loano, far from the clamor of city life. Here, he showcases a unique album comprised of piano, saxophones, accordion and cello. The ambience of this project, that he creates is one of tranquil, but very expressive chamber jazz music. He is joined by a very talented bunch of other noted Italian jazz musicians. Included in this grouping is the renowned Italian reed player Pietro Tonolo and scintillating accordionist Gil Goldstein. Also drawn into this magical mix is the spellbinding bowing of cellist Enrico Di Crosta. The songs are a succession of lyrical moments and improvisation. Together, they weave in and out, producing a beautiful and relaxing amalgam of fragments all penned by Riccardo. He draws on inspiration brought forth from maturity found in a search of exceptional sound mixes that are and will be truly pleasing to all music lovers, enjoy! 

EGEA Records, SCA 095, 2002
Recorded July, 2002 at Auditorium Saint Cecilia, Perugia, Italy 

Musicians:
Riccardo Zegna - Piano
Pietro Tonolo - Soprano & Tenor Saxophones
Gil Goldstein - Accordion
Enrico Di Crosta - Cello 

Tracks:
1. Barcarola (7:31)
2. Leitmotiv (7:00)
3. Profumo Di Vienna (8:51)
4. Tarantella (6:46)
5. Minuetto (5:44)
6. As Sa Nen L'Indovino (5:58)
7. Pastiche (5:20)
8. No Valse (4:39) 

All Compositions by Riccardo Zegna 

Total Time: 51:53 

Credits:
Sound Technician - Francesco Ciafuglia
Photo - Adriano Scognarrillo 

As Sa Nen L'Indovino

Ada Montellanico, Enrico Pieranunzi - Danza Di Una Ninfa (2005)

Two great artists leading an exceptional ensemble to present a project that will not fail to amaze and fascinate jazz and non-jazz fans. Ada Montellanico and Enrico Pieranunzi have, in fact, created a new work for the EGEA label that is a real journey into the poetic-musical world of Luigi Tenco. It is difficult to imagine a more effective combination to face and carry out such a delicate operation as that of giving life to new original sound stories through the exciting stories contained in the beautiful music and lyrics of the singer-songwriter. The two artists who signed "Dance of a Nymph" have brilliantly succeeded in the undertaking thanks to the excellent qualities that have long been recognized to them. Ada Montellanico has carved out her own, important space in the vocal panorama for making the Italian language sound and jazz improvisation and for being an interpreter capable of making her intimate emotional world adhere to the needs of narration. Enrico Pieranunzi, for his part, has built over the years, through his improvisations and compositions, a very personal sound universe that has made him one of the most appreciated Italian musicians in the world. If it is true that the Montellanico / Pieranunzi collaboration has already produced important works in the past such as "L'altra Tenco" (1996) and "But love no" (1997), it must be said immediately that "Dance of a nymph" presents itself as a completely new project, in a certain sense "revolutionary" because in it the most refined Italian songwriting tradition blends with the most authentic and transgressive jazz; so famous compositions such as, for example, "I fell in love with you" and "I understood that I love you" thanks to Pieranunzi's surprising, "transversal" arrangements and Montellanico's passionate, highly original interpretative approach, they will be completely "unpublished". 

But, speaking of "unpublished", four truly special songs can be heard on the CD that cannot fail to impress with their great beauty and poetic force. There are four texts by Luigi Tenco - two of which set to music by Montellanico, two by Pieranunzi - whose recording constitutes an "event within an event" because never before have the songwriter's lyrics been set to music, an operation that has the other received the warm consent and support of the Tenco family. And the fact that two jazz musicians did all this has a particular flavor, taking into account the enormous importance that this music had in the formative years of the future author of so many wonderful songs. Naturally the extraordinary artistic results of the project would not have been possible without the decisive contribution of the musicians who participated in it, each of whom enriched the CD with his strong expressive personality with an exceptional guest, the prestigious American multi-instrumentalist Paul McCandless, for some time strong point of the legendary "Oregon". A project therefore that constitutes for various reasons an important and rare opportunity also and above all for the subtle interplay between the two artists who created it: a sort of seductive interplay, thanks to which Montellanico makes the word "Sound" and Pieranunzi transforms his sound into "word". But mainly, it will be possible to rediscover the immense originality and depth of Luigi Tenco, one of the most important artists ever to appear on the Italian music scene, in a completely new and unexpected guise. ~ enricopieranunzi.it [Translated from Italian] 

EGEA Records, SCA 121, 2005
Recorded 20th and 21st February, 2005 at Oratorio Di Santa Cecilia, Perugia, Italy 

Musicians:
Ada Montellanico - Vocals
Enrico Pieranunzi - Piano, Arranger
Paul McCandless - Soprano Saxophone, Oboe, English Horn, Bass Clarinet, Flute
Bebo Ferra - Guitar
Luca Bulgarelli - Double Bass
Piero Salvatori - Cello
Michele Rabbia - Drums, Percussion
Arkè String Quartet (#1,2,9) 

Tracks:
01. Mi Sono Innamorato Di Te {Luigi Tenco} (7:23)
02. Da Quando {Ada Montellanico, Luigi Tenco} (5:29)
03. Mia Cara Amica {Enrico Pieranunzi, Luigi Tenco} (6:12)
04. Quasi Sera {Carlo Donida, Luigi Tenco} (4:51)
05. Danza Di Una Ninfa Sotto La Luna {Ada Montellanico, Luigi Tenco} (6:24)
06. Che Cos'e'? {Enrico Pieranunzi} (4:12)
07. Ho Capito Che Ti Amo {Luigi Tenco} (5:39)
08. Il Tempo Passò {Gianfranco Reverberi, Luigi Tenco} (5:39)
09. In Qualche Parte Del Mondo {Luigi Tenco} (5:45)
10. O Me {Enrico Pieranunzi, Luigi Tenco} (4:59) 

Total Time: 56:41 

Credits:
Recording & Mixing - Angelo Cioffi
Cover [Watercolor] - Richard Peduzzi
Graphics [Progetto Grafico] - Cecilia Valli
Photography - Adriano Scognamillo
Liner Notes - Walter Veltroni
Liner Notes [Translation] - Darragh Henegan 

Danza Di Una Ninfa Sotto La Luna

Pietro Tonolo - Mirando (2009)

Pietro Tonolo is by no means an ostentatious musician, but he is an artist reminiscent of an Italian craftsman. Since appearing on the scene in the mid-1980s, he has participated in many works as a sideman as well as a leader. Proof lies in his ability to show various tastes for each participating band while having his own worldly outlook and sensitivity that is clearly expressed through his own works, something that is not always achieved by most jazz musicians and composers. In this respect this album allows the listener to immerse themselves into Pietro's beautiful and lyrical world. Adjacent and intertwined in this world is the virtuoso Gil Goldstein overdubbing the accordion and piano to create a truly delicate realm, all the while the tenor and soprano plays a painful and drowsy entanglement typical of the atmosphere found on many EGEA releases. With the inclusion of David Boato on trumpet, a further enthrallment and sharpness is embodied despite the slow beat, something very unique to the sensibility of these Italian musicians, a far cry from the loud brash musing that emanate from American counterparts. All players rally to the cause to truly create a beautiful fusion of Egea's unique chamber music sound and with that of an exciting European hard bop. 

Egea Records, SCA 149, 2009 

Musicians:
Pietro Tonolo - Saxophones
Gil Goldstein - Piano, Accordion
Riccardo Del Fra - Double Bass
Francesco Sotgiu - Drums, Percussion
David Boato - Trumpet (#2,8)
Paolo Birro - Piano (#3,9) 

Tracks:
01. Ipnosi [Hypnosis] (4:39)
02. Professore [Professor] (5:11)
03. Bastia Fuori [Fortification Outside] (4:23)
04. Struscio [Stroll] (4:25)
05. Molini [Mill] (4:33)
06. T. Originale [Original T.] (6:29)
07. Onirico [Dreamlike] (2:35)
08. Graticolato [Trellis] (6:25)
09. Bastia Entro [Fortification Within] (5:45)
10. Progresso [Progress] (5:18) 

All Compositions by Pietro Tonolo 

Total Time: 49:43

Pietro Live with Gil, Riccardo & Francesco

Marco Zurzolo & Banda M.V.M. - Pulcinella (2002)

Reedman/composer Marco Zurzolo sets high standards for himself, evidenced by his latest and previous releases for this Italian record label. Enhanced by pristine audio characteristics, Zurzolo’s arrangements feature heavenly themes and Mediterranean slants amid a cosmopolitan blend of jazzy grooves and soft intervals. The percussionists steer the flow in concert with variable rhythmic metrics, whereas the large ensemble occasionally casts a semi-serious carnival-like atmosphere. At times you can imagine people dancing on the streets, however Zurzolo’s compositions provide a translucent amalgamation of big band style horn charts along with festive opuses. The artist affords his soloists ample breathing room to complement a series of punchy choruses and some cleverly articulated shifts in strategy. They even break into a Tarantella on the aptly titled piece "Tarantella Segreta." Simply stated, Zurzolo is a master, who deserves wider recognition on these American shores. His music is warm and soothing without becoming saturated with syrupy choruses. Alternatively, the musicians can turn up the heat on a split second’s notice. Highly recommended... ~ by Glenn Astarita, AAJ. 

EGEA Records, SCA 097, 2002
Recorded at Studio G.D.S., Napoli, Italy 

Musicians:
Marco Zurzolo - Alto Saxophone, Flute, Arranger
Gianfranco Campagnoli - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Matteo Franza - Trumpet (#2)
Annibale Guarino - Tenor Saxophone
Nando Trapani - Tenor Saxophone (#8)
Gabriella Grossi - Baritone Saxophone
Adriano Guarino - Guitar
Gino Evangelista - Mandolin, Mandola
Salvatore Piedepalumbo - Accordion
Pasquale De Angelis - Acoustic Bass
Emidio Ausiello - Frame Drum, Darbouka, Percussion
Antonio Mambelli, Vittorio Riva - Percussion
Ciccio Merolla - Water Drums, Tam-Tam, Caxixi, Tabla, Cymbals
Carlo Rizzo - Tambourine (#2,9)
Francesca Zurzolo - Vocals 

Tracks:
01. Jurnata {Marco Zurzolo} (5:01)
02. Tammurriata Di Donna Francesca {Marco Zurzolo} (5:11)
03. Tema Per Anna {Marco Zurzolo} (3:34)
04. Canzone 'E Giacca {Marco Zurzolo} (3:38)
05. Montreal {Marco Zurzolo} (4:09)
06. Chi È?...N'Aggie Capito...Chi È? {Marco Zurzolo} (3:54)
07. Tarantella Segreta {Raffaele Viviani} (4:18)
08. 'O Guappo {Marco Zurzolo, Raffaele Viviani} (4:10)
09. Pulcinella {Marco Zurzolo} (3:56)
10. Ballo In 7 {Marco Zurzolo} (5:07) 

Total Time: 42:58 

Credits:
Producer, Marco Zurzolo, Egea Productions
Recording - Luciano Liguori
Mastering - Francesco Ciarfuglia

Canzone 'E Giacca

Joe Locke, Rosario Giuliani, Dado Moroni - Stepping On Stars (2011)

The 2009 edition of Umbria Jazz has proposed in its calendar an unprecedented and interesting trio consisting of Joe Locke on the vibraphone, Rosario Giuliani on the sax and Dado Moroni on the piano. The three concerts in Perugia, particularly followed by the public, gave listeners the opportunity to enjoy a preview of the very original project formulated and performed by the trio. This project was recorded on the occasion by EGEA Music and is the subject of the CD “Stepping on Stars”. This CD represents the fifth title of the prestigious EGEA - Umbria Jazz series. The work of Stepping on stars escapes a simple classification. It draws heavily on the language of Jazz but presents new elements. It is undoubtedly chamber music, characterized by a great formal balance between the parts, but it is also fluid music, the result of the creative contribution of individuals. The themes, almost always "cantabile", are the object of refined elaborations by each musician: the inspiration of Rosario Giuliani, the refinement of Joe Locke, the immediacy of the interventions by Dado Moroni. All without ever making an easy concession to mannerism, to complacency. Enjoyable music, never banal. [Translated from Italian] ~ ibs.it. 

Egea Records [Umbria Jazz], EUJ 1005, 2011
Recorded at Auditorium Santa Cecilia, Perugia / Egea Recording Hall July, 2009 

Musicians:
Joe Locke - Vibraphone
Rosario Giuliani - Alto & Soprano Saxophones
Dado Moroni - Piano 

Tracks:
1. Sword Of Whispers {Joe Locke} (8:07)
2. My Angel {Rosario Giuliani} (6:37)
3. Brother Alfred {Dado Moroni} (5:00)
4. Beatrice Rose {Joe Locke} (7:02)
5. Love Is A Pendulum {Joe Locke} (6:10)
6. Stepping On Stars {Joe Locke} (6:49)
7. Alone {Dado Moroni} (3:38)
8. The Peacocks {Jimmy Rowles} (7:34) 

Total Time: 50:57

Credits:
Coordinator, Supervisor, label - Marco Suraci
Recording Engineer - Angelo Cioffi

Paolo Fresu, Furio Di Castri, John Taylor - Contos [Tales] (1993)

The Italian label EGEA began its journey when Paolo Fresu and Furio di Castri felt the need to leave the tried and tested formula of the duo to welcome other musicians. The ‘Open Trio’ (which also gives its name to a composition by Paolo Fresu) became an open structure capable of hosting percussionists, drummers, pianists and multimedia artists. The meeting with the English pianist John Taylor documents a happy moment of the twenty-year collaboration between Fresu and Di Castri and a prelude to the subsequent formation of the PAF Trio together with pianist and accordionist Antonello Salis. The nine songs, largely the result of Taylor's lyric pen, interact with the compositions of Fresu and Di Castri and are also the result of a successful Italian tour. The CD is recorded live in the Teatro di Città di Castello and is part of the project to enhance the historical theaters that Egea has been pursuing for some time. ~ paolofresu.it.

EGEA Records, SCA 039, 1993
Recorded in 1993 At Teatro Comunale Di Città di Castello, Italy 

Musicians:
Paolo Fresu - Trumpet
John Taylor - Piano
Furio Di Castri - Double Bass 

Tracks:
1. Sueños [Dreams] {Furio Di Castri} (7:18)
2. Evan Song {John Taylor} (5:13)
3. Walkabout {Paolo Fresu} (5:57)
4. Satie {Paolo Fresu} (9:27)
5. Evening Song {Furio Di Castri} (5:24)
6. Ninna Nanna Per Vale {Paolo Fresu} (4:22)
7. Blue Glass {John Taylor} (5:51)
8. Lovely Ballad {Paolo Fresu} (5:14)
9. Mandarin {Furio Di Castri} (3:45) 

Total Time: 52:27

Paolo Fresu's beautiful trumpet tone comparable to Miles and Chet Baker is quite unsurpassed within today’s jazz world. Equally on this date, John Taylor conveys a hauntingly bittersweet feeling to his playing, differing to his usual cold image, which fades away into beautiful solos of a greater fieriness. In addition, bassist Furio Di Castri, a long-term counterpart of Paolo Fresu, seamlessly binds the musicians together. All players contribute a number of compositions to the mix enhancing a diverse flavour to the listener’s experience. Overall, this album is a good example of the superior jazz released on the Italian Egea label, enjoy!

Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor guest Gabriele Mirabassi - Moon (2001)

 

Wheeler and Taylor have produced some great music together in the past, but seldom as irresistibly gorgeous as this. Confining himself to flugelhorn, Wheeler is lyric beauty personified, his mellifluously songlike improvisations burnished by a richly expressive tone; Taylor is the perfect partner, his piano matching and echoing Wheeler's explorations at every turn. It says much for clarinetist Mirabassi that he fits into this closely-knit duo so well when he joins them on three pieces. The material, six originals by Wheeler, three by Taylor, allow free rein to their imagination and the results are sublime, their beauty enhanced by the sensitively detailed recording, done in an acoustically warm old Italian theatre. ~ by Enzo Vizzone, AAJ.

Egea Records, SCA 086, 2001
Recorded February, 2001 At Teatro Comunale di Gubbio, Italy 

Musicians:
Kenny Wheeler - Flugelhorn
John Taylor - Piano
Guest:
Gabriele Mirabassi - Clarinet (#3,6,8) 

Tracks:
1. After The Last Time {John Taylor} (4:27)
2. Flo {Kenny Wheeler} (5:03)
3. Ambleside {John Taylor} (6:06)
4. Introduction To A No Particular Song {Kenny Wheeler} (6:11)
5. Moon {John Taylor} (4:50)
6. Sly Eyes {Kenny Wheeler} (7:56)
7. 3/4 P.M. {Kenny Wheeler} (5:39)
8. Deriviation {Kenny Wheeler} (5:58)
9. Medium 30 {Kenny Wheeler} (5:55) 

Total Time: 51:05 

Credits:
Engineer - Francesco Ciarfuglia
Photography - Adriano Scognamillo 

Mostly Flugelhorn-Piano Duets
----------------------------------------
I've just rediscovered this little-known album, and thought sharing my impressions might be of some interest. The venerable Canadian-born but Britain-based Kenny Wheeler is featured here exclusively on eloquent flugelhorn, performing a repertoire that consists of six of his originals (#2, 4, 6-9) and three by long-time friend and collaborator, the phenomenal English pianist John Taylor. The acoustic quality of the CD is first rate thanks to the material being recorded in the Teatro Communale of the Italian town of Gubbio, in February 2001. The set starts at a measured pace with Taylor's bit melancholic #1 'after the last time,' coloured by a restrained touch of tango in a similar vein to the prancing #6 'sly eyes,' where the influence is more pronounced, that extensively features the virtuosic playing of clarinetist Gabriele Mirabassi and an engaging piano solo reminiscent of Chick Corea. The Italian musician also contributes to Taylor's merrily playful #3 'ambleside,' a piece I first heard on Time Being /#8 (1994, ECM), and to the somewhat dreamy #8 'deriviation'. Wheeler's slightly veiled sound on the bittersweet #2 'flo' reminds me that of the legendary Chet Baker, while he produces some long, sustained notes - alongside Taylor strumming the piano strings - leading into a majestic rendition of #4 'introduction to a no particular song,' a tune I've been familiar with from the celestial Angel of the Presence /#8 (2005, CamJazz). The spacious and introspective title song #5 'moon' offers occasionally soaring flugelhorn, whereas #8 '3/4 p.m.' is a nostalgic, straight ahead fare. The album closes with the moderately dynamic #9 'medium 30'. ~ inner exile, Amazon.com, 4 Stars.

Pietro Tonolo - Luna Park (2000)

A very pleasant album by some of Italy's top-notch jazz musicians. The concept for the album is structured on compositions reflecting the joy emanating from amusement parks, and hence the title 'Luna Park'. Many of the players are renowned in their own country, but it is different case outside Europe. The album in particular is a continued showcase of the superb talents of saxophonist Pietro Tonolo, trumpeter Giampaolo Casati, trombonist Roberto Rossi and clarinetist Gabriel Mirabassi. Completing the ensemble are probably lesser known musicians, but equally skillful and they certainly come together to complement the main players. Pietro Tonolo is the nominated leader for the album and contributes a number of his own compositions. The bulk of the other tunes are penned by other Italian composers, the exception being "Klop" written by Duke Ellington but arranged brilliantly by baritone saxophonist Rossano Emili. The main delight of the album is its calm and joyful tone with all players expressing first-rate musicianship. If you haven't already done so, I truly recommend you explore other albums listing these artists, Enjoy!

Egea Records, SCA 072, 2000
Recorded 17^th & 18^th May, 2000 At Teatro Della Sapienza, Perugia 

Musicians:
Pietro Tonolo - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone
Giampaolo Casati - Trumpet, Cornet
Roberto Rossi - Trombone
Gabriele Mirabassi - Clarinet, Clarinet [Piccolo]
Massimo Pirone - Tuba
Rossano Emili - Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet
Francesca Rossi - Vocals (#10) 

Tracks:
01. Semitango {Pietro Tonolo} (4:26)
02. Mangiafuoco {Leandro Piccioni} (2:46)
03. Luna Park {Pietro Tonolo} (4:54)
04. The Faboulous Vassil Aprilov {Piero Leveratto} (3:14)
05. La Banda Elastica {Pasquale Laino} (6:57)
06. Klop {Arr. Rossano Emili, Duke Ellington} (4:00)
07. Barena {Pietro Tonolo} (5:45)
08. Milvo {Arr. Pietro Tonolo, Diego Soto Espinoza} (4:54)
09. Artemisia {Piero Leveratto} (2:47)
10. Ninna Nanna A Sette E Venti {Giancarlo Rizzardi} (3:43) 

Total Time: 43:26

Pietro Tonolo - Italian Songs (2005)

Pietro Tonolo on ‘Italian Songs’ brings together an international ensemble, focusing on the work of a number of Italian writers. Pianist Gil Goldstein adds an underlying lyricism and harmonic richness, lending the straight-ahead swinger "Non Mi Dire Chi Sci and tender ballad "E La Chiamano Estate undeniable jazz credibility. But on the melancholy "...E Penso a Te he layers an accordion track that instantly draws the American and Italian traditions together. On "Almeno tu Nell'Universo, a duet featuring his accordion with Tonolo's soaring soprano, the two bring together folkloric ambience with a more abstract classical impressionism. Drummer Joe Chambers relies on a more straightforward approach, with his lithe sense of swing defines the waltz of "Senza Fine and the light bossa of "Metti Una Sera a Cena, along with Essiet Okun Essiet's robust and ever-dependable bass lines. He's also comfortable veering towards more experimental territory on the mercurial "Terra Mia, featuring Tonolo exploring uncharacteristic extremes, and layers vibraphone on the poignant "Pensantodi for added color. Tonolo's virtuosity is tempered by a melody-rich approach that stays close to the center, despite the occasional hint that he's clearly capable of moving farther afield. Certainly Goldstein, Essiet, and Chambers have proven themselves equally at ease with more outré contexts over their long careers. But the ambience of Italian Songs is one of soft edges and smooth surfaces - easy on the ears but multilayered enough to continue revealing on repeat listens. ~ Extract by John Kelman, AAJ.

Egea Records, SCA 118, 2005
Recorded 23^rd-24^th May, 2004 At Cervinara Recording, Italy 

Musicians:
Pietro Tonolo - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone
Gil Goldstein - Piano, Accordion
Essiet Okun Essiet - Double Bass
Joe Chambers - Drums, Vibraphone 

Tracks:
01. ...E Penso A Te {Battisti, Mogol} (5:17)
02. Non Mi Dire Chi Se {Bindi, Calabrese} (3:59)
03. E La Chiamano Estate {Zanin, Califano, Martino} (5:16)
04. Senza Fine {Paoli} (5:39)
05. Metti Una Sera A Cena {Morricone} (6:06)
06. Sincerità {Cocciante} (6:46)
07. Stringimi Forte I Polsi {Carpi, Chiosso, Fo} (4:00)
08. Almeno Tu Nell'Universo {Fabrizio, Lauzi} (4:19)
09. Terra Mia {Nava} (5:00)
10. Pensandoti {Calvagna, Bersani} (4:50)
11. Marcia De Esculapio {Piccioni} (2:37) 

Total Time: 53:54

Credits:
Mixing and Mastering - Angelo Cioffi
Graphics - Andrea Staiano
Cover Art - Annalisa Ciaramella
Photos - Angelo Marchese