Beppe Aliprandi - Blue Flowers (1996)

Beppe Aliprandi, outside 'The Continent' is a truly underrated Italian saxophonist. For this date he joins forces with an ensemble of other well-recognisable European and Italian jazz musicians, putting together a quartet that includes vibist Karl Berger, bassist Piero Leveratto and drummer Aldo Romano. The quartet delve into twelve of Beppe's own compositions that showcase his unique abilities as a proficient reedman. He handles his alto and tenor saxophones with equal dexterity and to his credit also his prowess on an Indian wood flute. At times his tone on alto very much mirrors Ornette Coleman’s sound, reminiscent of his Atlantic years. Overall, a great introduction to a wonderful musician and his music, enjoy! 

Splasc(h) Records, CDH 470.2, 1996
Recorded 26th-27th June, 1995 at Mu-Rec Studio, Milan, Italy 

Musicians:
Beppe Aliprandi - Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Indian Wood Flute
Karl Berger - Vibraphone, Piano
Piero Leveratto - Bass
Aldo Romano - Drums

Tracks:
01. May Be Tomorrow #2 (3:19)
02. Blue Flowers (7:58)
03. Basso Continuo (5:22)
04. Long Ago (3:40)
05. Inno (7:30)
06. Cave 54 (5:02)
07. Today's Gospel (5:40)
08. Youareall (6:48)
09. May Be Tomorrow #1 (3:16)
10. Waiting (5:22)
11. My Way To India (6:12)
12. Song For My Ideal (4:09) 

All compositions by Beppe Aliprandi 

Total Time: 64:22 

Credits:
Producer - Giorgio Mortarino, Peppo Spagnoli
Sound Engineer - Paolo Falascone
Cover Art - Beppe Aliprandi
Liner Notes - Franco Fayenz
Liner Notes [English Text] - Pete Kercher 

Long Ago

Enrico Pieranunzi Trio - Multiple Choice, Vol. 6 (2000)

Multiple Choice is now the 6th CD that Enrico Pieranunzi and his trio present on yvp. And again, it is a prime example of interactive music-making at the highest level! Pieranunzi has chosen two exquisite companions: The Genoa-born bassist Piero Leveratto has been working with Pieranunzi for over ten years and has proven himself here as a sensitive companion and highly virtuoso soloist alike. Drummer Marcello Di Leonardo is a new addition, whose sensitive playing provides the right basis for the master's pianistic excursions. The title "Multiple Choice" expresses the intention of the trio on this CD. Bill Evans, Pieranunzi's great teacher, once said that jazz asks "how" and not "what".And so the Enrico Pieranunzi Trio did not set a fixed musical language for this recording, but set the goal of playing the most open and best music that the three of them are capable of. And so, according to the title "Multiple Choice", there is modal jazz next to free forms, melodic ballads next to Latin-influenced numbers, all held together by a common musical language. ~ enricopieranunzi.it. [Translated From German]. 

YVP Music, yvp music 3079 CD, 2000
Recorded 20th March, 2000 at Platinum One Studio, Studio 2, Zürich, Switzerland 

Musicians:
Enrico Pieranunzi - Piano
Piero Leveratto - Bass
Marcello Di Leonardo - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Improline {Enrico Pieranunzi} (2:34)
02. Blue Improline {Enrico Pieranunzi} (2:18)
03. Dee Song {Enrico Pieranunzi} (5:44)
04. Improline 2 {Enrico Pieranunzi} (2:46)
05. Improline 4 {Enrico Pieranunzi} (1:22)
06. Improline 3 {Enrico Pieranunzi} (2:02)
07. The Common Element {Enrico Pieranunzi} (3:26)
08. December Waltz {Stefania Tallini} (6:06)
09. Myriads {Piero Leveratto} (3:44)
10. Improline 5 {Enrico Pieranunzi} (2:22)
11. Love’s Language {Enrico Pieranunzi} (5:38)
12. Improline 6 {Enrico Pieranunzi} (2:11)
13. Morning Song For Stefì {Enrico Pieranunzi} (2:40)
14. Cancion Del Dia {Enrico Pieranunzi} (3:30)
15. One Lone Star {Enrico Pieranunzi} (5:30)
16. Multiple Choice {Enrico Pieranunzi} (3:00) 

Total Time: 55:01 

Credits:
Producer - Peter Bürli [Radio DRS 2]
Producer, Design [Cover] - York v. Prittwitz [yvp music]
Recording, Mixing & Mastering - Martin Pearson
Photo - Paolo Soriani
Liner Notes - Enrico Pieranunzi 

Here's a unique CD; a compilation of compositions by the then working Enrico Pieranunzi Trio in 2000, recorded in Switzerland and produced by Radio DRS 2. The disc comprises of 16 tracks, the majority of them penned by Enrico himself. For his latest trio formation, he brings together bassist Piero Leveratto and drummer Marcello Di Leonardo. As per usual Enrico weaves his magic and truly asserts his authority as a master pianist and composer of modern jazz. Regardless of his continental background he is revered throughout the world and it's not an overstatement to say that all his works are of the highest quality bringing joy to many an older or newer jazz audience/s.

Changes “Emanuele Cisi” - Small Changes (2001)

The instrumentation of saxophone and rhythm can be so humdrum that any new view from the mainstream through these lenses, however modest, is cause for rejoicing. The proof here is in the nuance, as there is almost always something brewing that catches the ear. The stamp of pianist Stefano Battaglia is found all over this engaging and sensitive set of original pieces performed by the Italian quartet calling itself Changes. Battaglia is the best-known member of the group, and while the resulting music is clearly a collective effort, several numbers (particularly the three he contributed) evidence a thoughtful, circumspect approach that reflect his personality. In some ways, some of the pieces on the album sound the way pianist Bill Evans might have sounded if he had added a saxophonist to his trios, though the interplay on the instant CD is not so radical. Emanuele Cisi's laid-back saxophone fits perfectly; even when the pace quickens, as, for example, on the bluesy "The Gambler," Cisi offers a somewhat distant, appealingly exotic feel. At least one of his two compositions, "Ravaise," though thoughtful, is less impressive than his playing. On the slower pieces, drummer Fabrizio Serra and bassist Piero Leveratto engage in the difficult task of keeping the momentum going, although on the more upbeat numbers, such as the vigorously lilting "The Happy Violone," everyone, including the usually more reticent Battaglia, marches aggressively, with considerable success. ~ by Steve Loewy, AMG. 

Splasc(H) Records, CDH 733.2, 2001
Recorded 11th, 12th, 13th September, 1999 at Artesuono Recording Studio, Cavalicco, Italy 

Musicians:
Emanuele Cisi - Tenor Saxophone
Stefano Battaglia - Piano
Piero Leveratto - Bass
Fabrizio Sferra - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Mater {Stefano Battaglia} (4:52)
2. Small Changes {Piero Leveratto} (9:41)
3. Endurance {Emanuele Cisi} (7:26)
4. The Happy Violone {Piero Leveratto} (4:51)
5. Divenire {Stefano Battaglia} (7:56)
6. The Gambler {Piero Leveratto} (7:19)
7. Trovarsi {Stefano Battaglia} (8:58)
8. More Changes {Cisi, Battaglia, Leveratto, Sferra} (5:16)
9. Ravalse {Emanuele Cisi} (6:57) 

Total Time: 63:20 

Credits:
Producer - Changes
Sound Engineer - Stefano Amerio
Cover [Forme Nello Spazio] - Giuliano Romano
Graphic Design - Luigi Naro
Liner Notes [English Texts] - Pete Kercher
Liner Notes [Italian] - Davide Ielmini
Photography - Piero Ottaviano