Aldo Romano - Because Of Bechet (2002)

Italian-born drummer Aldo Romano is a respected European jazz musician who has played with many avant-garde and contemporary jazz stars. Living in France from his early teens, his music usually is a mix of Italian emotionalism and French sentimentality, influenced by world leading avant-garde jazz artists of the 60s and 70s. "Because Of Bechet" is quite a radical step in his musical career - this album is a tribute to American jazz sax/clarinet star Sidney Bechet. Full of tunes and straightforward jazz compositions, this album isn't just a nostalgic retrospective. Aldo also uses sampling and electronic rhythms plus organ as well as more traditional instruments to give this music, which is deeply rooted in jazz from the 20-30s, a new interpretation. With French charm and almost dance-able beats this album is an easily accessible and modern reading of a traditional jazz legacy. ~ snobb, jazzmusicarchives.com. 

EmArcy Records, 017 275-2, 2002
Recorded 31st August-4th September, 2001 at Studio Le Château, Paris, France 

Musicians:
Aldo Romano - Drums (#5,10-12), Keyboards (#2-4,6,7), Bass (#2,6),
Guitar (#4,7,8), Drum-Sampling (#2,3,6,8,9,13), Arranger (#3,12,13)
Emanuele Cisi - Soprano Sax (#1,5), Tenor Sax (#2,3,6,8-13), Arranger (#12)
Francesco Bearzatti - Soprano Sax (#2,5,11), Tenor Sax (3,8,9,13), Clarinet (#12)
Emmanuel Bex - Organ (#2,3,5,8,10-12), Arranger (#5,11)
Nico Morelli - Piano (#1,8)
Michel Benita - Double Bass (#3,8)
Olivier Sens - Double Bass (#10-12)
Naab - Drum-Sampling (#2,13)
Giorgia Fiorio - Poem Recitation (#7) 

Tracks:
01. Dans Les Rues D'Antibes [Extrait 1] {Sidney Bechet} (1:04)
02. 50 Years Later {Aldo Romano} (6:27)
03. Les Oignons {Sidney Bechet} (5:29)
04. Fina {Aldo Romano} (1:07)
05. Petite Fleur {Sidney Bechet} (5:09)
06. Blossom {Aldo Romano} (4:32)
07. Giorgia {Aldo Romano, Marina Tsvétaïéva} (3:42)
08. Crossbreed {Aldo Romano} (5:18)
09. Across {Aldo Romano} (3:30)
10. Dreams And Waters {Aldo Romano} (5:07)
11. Song For Bechet {Aldo Romano} (4:48)
12. Muskrat Ramble {Sidney Bechet} (3:57)
13. Dans Les Rues D'Antibes [Extrait 2] {Sidney Bechet} (1:06) 

Total Time: 51:24 

Credits:
Producer, Programming, Sampling - Aldo Romano
Executive-Producer - Daniel Richard
Recording, Post-production, Mixing - Philippe Teissier Du Cros
Engineer [Assistant Recording] - Manu Gallet
Mastering Engineer - Nilesh Patel
Design - Gilles Guerlet
Photography [Cover] - Gilles Guerlet
Liner Notes [English Translation] - Martin Davies

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