Max Ionata is undoubtedly one of the most interesting saxophonists on the European jazz scene and this latest work proves it in its own right. At the head of a quartet made up of extraordinary musicians who have been following him for the past ten years (hence the title of the CD) such as Nicola Muresu on double bass and Nicola Angelucci on drums and Luca Mannutza on piano, Ionata produces a truly convincing performance. The songs, almost all original, give a very high-level mainstream, interpreted with taste and great interplay. Max Ionata's stamp is decided, the voice of his saxophone is warm and biting, his phrasing, while not lacking numerous references to sacred monsters of jazz history from Dexter Gordon to Coleman Hawkins from Ben Webster to Sonny Rollins, Lester Young, at the same time, has the tendency to go beyond the historical-stylistic limits showing great personality, extraordinary ideas and sensitivity in interpretation. The musicians who accompany him are all wonderfully blended and interact with effectiveness and precision, without ever hindering or excelling, managing to create a perfect balance between dynamism and sweetness, between delicacy and aggression. Surely Ionata knows how to capture the listener's attention with a decisive and disruptive attitude. He is a volcanic artist and knows how to play with the imagination and the skill that distinguishes him but above all he knows how to make every interpretation enjoyable. Emblematic in this sense are the songs "Turn Around", "Lode for Joe" and the fantastic "Astobard", "Coltrane meet Evans" and "L'Altalena" where the added value of a formidable soloist like Fabrizio Bosso gives a quality and a overwhelming, vibrant force that borders on stylistic perfection as well as transmitting deep emotions, enclosed in the unrepeatable moment of delicious two-voice games. ~ Alessandro Carabelli, Jazzitalia. [Translated from Italian]
Via Veneto Jazz, VVJ 070, 2011
Recorded 2011 at Riff Raff
Jazz Studio, Trevignano Romano, Italy
Musicians:
Max Ionata - Tenor Saxophone
Luca Mannutza - Piano
Nicola Muresu - Double Bass
Nicola Angelucci - Drums
Guest:
Fabrizio Bosso - Trumpet,
Flugelhorn (#1,2,7)
Tracks:
1. Astobard {Nicola Muresu}
(8:05)
2. Coltrane Meet Evans {Luca
Mannutza} (7:13)
3. La Talpa {Max Ionata}
(7:41)
4. Turn Around {Luca
Mannutza} (7:06)
5. Who Can I Turn To {Anthony
Newley, Leslie Bricusse} (5:24)
6. Lode 4 Joe {Max Ionata}
(7:00)
7. L'Altalena {Luca Mannutza}
(5:28)
8. Attila [Lease] {Nicola
Muresu} (4:23)
Total Time: 52:23
Credits:
Producer - Matteo Pagano
Sound Engineer - Raimondo
Mosci
Mixing Engineer - Antonio Di
Donato
Cover Photo - Roberto Panucci
Photo [Fabrizio Bosso] -
Andrea Palmucci
Photo [Quartet] - Mario
Cutolo
Graphic Designer - Enzo Criscione
