Renato Sellani Trio - A Mina (2004)

Jazz musicians all too frequently stick to standards from the Great American Songbook, so it makes sense for pianist Renato Sellani to put together a program of originals by modern composers of his native Italy. While nearly all of these songs may be unfamiliar to listeners outside of Europe, each of them proves to be a terrific vehicle for Sellani's trio, which includes bassist Massimo Moriconi and drummer Massimo Manzi. The leader contributed the touching "A Mina” (heard separately in a solo version and a trio performance), while Moriconi composed the pretty ballad "Cosi," played as a solo by Sellani. There are several guests added as well. Vocalist Tiziana Ghiglioni is featured in the haunting "Le Mille Bolle Blu" (the saxophonist is strangely unidentified, though it is likely Gianni Basso). Patrizia Conte is the singer on a playful duet of "Grande Grande Grande." Flügelhornist Enrico Rava joins the trio for the playful " Munasterio 'E Santa Chiara." This enjoyable session is warmly recommended. ~ by Ken Dryden, AMG. 

Philology Records, W 272.2, 2004
Recorded 6th November, 2003 at Mu Rec Studio, Milano, Italy 

Musicians:
Renato Sellani - Piano
Massimo Moriconi - Bass
Massimo Manzi - Drums
Guests:
Enrico Rava - Trumpet (#8)
Patrizia Conte - Vocals (#10)
Tiziana Ghiglioni - Vocals (#5,13) 

Tracks:
01. Vorrei Che Fosse Amore {Antonio Amurri, Bruno Canfora} (3:44)
02. Come Sinfonia [Take 1] {Pino Donaggio} (2:18)
03. Se C'È Una Cosa Che Mi Fa Impazzire {Antonio Amurri, Bruno Canfora} (3:29)
04. Così {Massimo Moriconi, Samuele Cerri} (3:20)
05. Le Mille Bolle Blu {Vito Pallavicini, Carlo Alberto Rossi} (6:46)
06. Io E Te Da Soli {Lucio Battisti, Giulio Rapetti} (4:01)
07. A Mina [Piano Solo] {Renato Sellani} (3:52)
08. Munasterio 'E Santa Chiara {Alberto Barberis, Michele Galdieri} (2:47)
09. Amorevole {Pino Massara, Vito Pallavicini} (4:18)
10. Grande Grande Grande {Alberto Testa, Tony Renis} (4:05)
11. Tintarella Di Luna {Bruno De Filippi, Franco Migliacci} (5:29)
12. You Never Told Me {Piero Piccioni, Lydia McDonald} (3:11)
13. E Se Domani {Carlo Alberto Rossi} (5:54)
14. Amina [Trio Version] {Renato Sellani} (4:19)
15. Come Sinfonia [Alternate Take] {Pino Donaggio} (3:27) 

Total Time: 61:04 

Credits:
Producer, Liner Notes - Paolo Piangiarelli
Engineer - Paolo Falascone
Mastering - Fabio Alfonsi
Graphics - Danilo Santinelli
Photography [Front] - Franco Mancini
Photography [Inside] - Valentino Paoletti

Fabrizio Bosso Quintet - Rome After Midnight (2004)

Here we have an excellent early release by Italian master trumpeter Fabrizio Bosso. For this date he assembles a quintet comprising of similar youngish talent that would go on to become equally well-known Italian jazz musicians. The album comprises of a lively repertoire of hard bop and post-bop classics. He is joined by Daniele Scannapieco on tenor, pianist Mike Melillo, bass player Massimo Moriconi and drummer Lorenzo Tucci. All musicians have continued to develop and have correspondingly evolved into some of the best jazz players on the continent today. Many have been part of and are still actively engaged within the European circuit and abroad. The majority have led a multitude of groups and produced a considerable number of high-quality albums. There's not a lot more to say other than that Fabrizio unites his group to produce and showcase an exhilarating assortment of great jazz music, Enjoy! 

Sound Hills, SSCD-8129, 2004
Recorded 12th & 13th October, 2004 At House Recording Studio, Rome, Italy 

Personnel:
Fabrizio Bosso - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Daniele Scannapieco - Tenor Saxophone
Mike Melillo - Piano
Massimo Moriconi - Bass
Lorenzo Tucci - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Eye Of The Hurricane {Herbie Hancock} (3:14)
02. Ceora {Lee Morgan} (6:27)
03. Honeysuckle Rose {Fats Waller} (6:43)
04. Road Song {Wes Montgomery} (7:10)
05. Johnny Comes Lately {Billy Strayhorn} (4:14)
06. You Don't Know What Love Is {Gene DePaul, Don Raye} (7:29)
07. Birdlike {Freddie Hubbard} (3:53)
08. Have You Met Miss Jones? {Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart} (8:59)
09. Crisis {Freddie Hubbard} (7:13)
10. There Is No Greater Love {Isham Jones} (8:16)
11. I'll Remember April {Gene DePaul, Patricia Johnston, Don Raye} (9:00) 

Total Time: 72:38 

Credits:
Producer - Sergio Veschi
Executive Producer - Hirakasu Sasabe
Recording - Simone Ciammarughi, Emanuele Bossi
Photos - Daniele Molajoli