Raffaele Casarano - Medina (2015)

Raffaele and his quintet meet two very special guests: the Norwegian star Erik Honoré, and a great orchestra from the region he has born. An album full of opposite sides that try to find a common place where a total and complete idea of music lives. The admirable balance between the various souls is fascinating, the result of Casarano's intuition of drawing a canvas where the individual parts could express themselves freely but coherently, and his meticulous direction in an ambitious project like Medina gives us proof of full artistic maturity.~ tukmusic.com. 

An album by my friend Raffaele Casarano of which I took care of direction, arrangements and orchestration. Unique project of its kind and full of jazz, electronic and symphonic sounds. Thanks to Marco Bardoscia, Mirko Signorile, Alessandro Monteduro, Cristiano Calcagnile, to the splendid timbres of Erik Honoré, to the fabulous Orchestra Ico Tito Schipa and to Paolo Fresu because he believes in these beautiful projects! ~ Alfonso Girardo, alfonsogirardo.com. 

Tǔk Music, TUK008, 2015 

Musicians:
Raffaele Casarano - Alto & Soprano Saxes, Electronics
Mirko Signorile - Piano
Marco Bardoscia - Double Bass, Electronics
Cristiano Calcagnile - Drums
Alessandro Monteduro - Percussion
Erik Honoré - Live Samples
Orchestra Sinfonica Tito Schipa
Alfonso Girardo - Arranger, Conductor

Tracks:
1. Remembering Esbjorn (4:43)
2. A Due (6:39)
3. Click Clock (10:34)
4. Il Paradiso Degli Sciocchi (4:23)
5. L'Istrione (5:22)
6. Se Vuoi Andare Vai (7:37)
7. Un Amico Immaginario (4:51)
8. Africa (3:54)
9. L'Allegra Tristezza (3:38) 

All compositions by Raffaele Casarano 

Total Time: 51:46

Remembering Esbjorn

Bebo Ferra - Specs People (2012)

Specs People is the new work by Bebo Ferra who on this occasion chooses to make use of a trio completed with Maxx Furian on drums and Gianluca Di Ienno on Hammond organ to give life to a journey made up of originals, but also of trespassing into the rock sphere, with the cover of "Satisfaction," and film music, as evidenced by the melancholy version of "Gran Torino," all released by Paolo Fresu's Tuk Music. The electric guitar of the leader, seasoned with effects, very melodic, but if necessary ready to leave the decisive scratch, is the hallmark of the eleven pieces on the programme, in which, however, the Hammond organ also plays an important role, an instrument can go unnoticed for its typical sound that refers to vintage scenarios. The itinerary includes moments of apparent calm ("La Sagra Delle Quinte"), others of a more superficial and pleasantly light nature ("La Radio In testa") and shaded areas that manage to express important timbres and atmospheres ("Scuro"). A set that always keeps the surprise factor alive, so that the listener on duty is struck by the series of intuitions brought into play. Like that of dressing the Rolling Stones song with psychedelic sounds, cropped so as to keep the proverbial hook intact, or that of placing a couple of electronic pieces, such as the concluding "Il Quadro Della Farfalla," in a context that moves in a deliberately transversal way between distant styles and approaches. Specs People is a disc of sure interest, both for aficionados of the Sardinian guitarist, who in this episode presents himself in a captivating and very inspired electric guise, and for those who want a tour far from the usual. ~ by Italy Staff, AAJ. [Translated from Italian] 

Tǔk Music, CD 098, 2012
Recorded September, 2010 and mixed at Accademia del Suono, Milan, Italy 

Musicians:
Bebo Ferra - Guitar, Electronics [Live Electronics]
Gianluca Di Ienno - Organ [Hammond Organ], Electronics [Live Electronics]
Maxx Furian - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Scuro {Bebo Ferra} (5:11)
02. L'Alchimista {Bebo Ferra} (4:31)
03. 29 Aprile {Bebo Ferra} (7:14)
04. My English Brother {Bebo Ferra} (4:56)
05. Gran Torino {Clint Eastwood, Kyle Eastwood, Michael Stevens} (4:43)
06. La Radio In Testa {Bebo Ferra} (5:00)
07. Topink {Bebo Ferra, Gianluca Di Ienno, Maxx Furian} (2:24)
08. La Sagra Delle Quinte {Bebo Ferra} (5:40)
09. Il Fabbro {Maxx Furian} (0:50)
10. [I Can't Get No] Satisfaction {Mick Jagger, Keith Richards} (8:32)
11. Il Quadro Della Farfalla {Gianluca Di Ienno} (2:11) 

Total Time: 51:19 

Credits:
Producer - Bebo Ferra
Executive Producer - Paolo Fresu, Timur Semprini, Patrizio Romano
Co-producer, Engineer, Mixing - Fausto Dasè
Assistant Recording, Mixing & Mastering - Gabriele Simoni
Graphic Design - Benno Simma
Photo - Roberto Cifarelli 

Scuro [Dark]

Luca Aquino - aQustico (2013)

Based upon his recorded offerings to date, one might get the impression that Italian trumpeter Luca Aquino has legendary Italian explorers' roots in his musical DNA. While Columbus, Vespucci and others took sail over uncharted waters, Aquino (which translates as "little water") sets off yet again and delivers aural riches with aQustico. In this engaging and intimate effort, Aquino, backed by a superb group consisting of accordion with rhythm section, explores extended musical textures and sends up an intriguing set of seven sonic portraits. Unlike some of his previous recordings, aQustico employs no electronic effects. This is an entirely acoustic exposition in which Aquino and crew are free to rely on their personal musical statements and their collective inter-communication. The repertoire consists primarily of elegantly simple melodies—primarily modal and scalar themes that are almost folk-like - followed by longer improvisations. Varied rhythmic interludes within each selection generate appropriate tension and resolve. Pacing is predominately balladic and beautiful ("Chet e Liz"). There are some smatterings of free improvisation ("Japan Pop") and little straight-ahead jazz. Aquino has a gorgeous trumpet and flugelhorn sound that resonates beauty and vulnerability - there's a child's voice singing in there. His improvisations, more melismatic than boppish, are lengthy ribbon-like explorations of tonality and they drip intimate expression ("Mastroianni," "Aqustico"). Some of his work here respectfully ghosts Chris Botti, Chet Baker and Miles Davis. The doubling of Aquino's horns with Carmine Ioanna's talented accordion and with Sade Mangiaracina's piano is just superb ("Aqustico"). Both Ioanna and Mangiaracina are highly involved in the tone-painting throughout and offer solos that reinforce the reserved, somewhat romantic nature of the selections ("La Ninna Nanna del Capitano"). Giorgio Vendola's bass is robust and Alessandro Marzi's percussion is as tasteful as what takes place around him ("Incerto"). Whether the genetics present in Luca Aquino are explorer-intensive or not, aQustico is a solid artistic vessel that leads the imagination to shores of beauty, riches and an abundance of joy. All aboard that's going aboard. ~ by Nicholas F. Mondello. 

Tǔk Music, CD114, 2013
Recorded 20th-22nd November, 2012 at Studio Artesuono, Cavalicco, Udine, Italy 

Musicians:
Luca Aquino - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Carmine Ioanna - Accordion
Sade Mangiaracina - Piano
Giorgio Vendola - Bass
Alessandro Marzi - Drums, Percussion 

Tracks:
1. Mastroianni {Sade Mangiaracina} (5:42)
2. Aqustico {Luca Aquino} (10:47)
3. Chet E Liz {Luca Aquino} (4:07)
4. 1/2 Cuba Dani Kira {Luca Aquino} (5:28)
5. Incerto {Giorgio Vendola} (4:37)
6. Japan Pop {Luca Aquino} (7:46)
7. La Ninna Nanna Del Capitano {Luca Aquino} (5:50) 

Total Time: 44:17 

Credits:
Artistic Producer - Luca Aquino
Producer - Paolo Fresu [Tǔk Music]
Recording, Mixing & Mastering Engineer - Stefano Amero
Photography - Lorenzo Palmieri
Cover [Fraternity - Mimmo Paladino] - Peppe Avallone
Graphic Design - Benno Simma

Dino Rubino - Where Is The Happiness? (2017)

Where Is The Happiness?
Question for which there is no human being who has not sought an answer. Philosophers, writers, painters, composers and above all the common man have come to terms with this unresolved question or with an answer that is sometimes so obvious that it does not deserve any consideration. This is what Dino Rubino wonders in his latest record published by Tùk Music and made with a highly respected crew that sees Emanuele Cisi on sax, Angelo Bonaccorso on French horn, Gaetano Cristofaro on clarinet, Giuseppe Mirabella on guitar, Paolino Dalla Porta on double bass and Adam Nussbaum on drums. The ten musical tracks that the pianist and trumpeter writes for this recording unfold on the trail of this answer, as well as an original version of “Sugar Man”, a famous piece by Sixto Rodriguez. Just as it is true that happiness is everywhere and at the same time nowhere, these pieces testify to Rubino's exploration of that musical metalanguage that knows no genre limit. In fact, there is a whole baggage of artistic experiences and listening in these pieces, from jazz to folk, rock, pop and classic repertoire, influences that, perfectly digested and reworked by Dino Rubino, emerge in different ways in these songs, almost to render concrete is the quote from Paolo Fresu that stands out in the booklet of the cd and that reads "Happiness is also not depriving oneself of anything". The pursuit of happiness in this music is something that has to do with an element of optimism and positivity, it proceeds through never dark atmospheres, on the contrary illuminated in the path by that light of spirituality that inevitably cheers. Dino Rubino wanted to add a literary equivalent to each of these passages, offering as many of his poems to be read in the booklet. Verses that do not describe, but rather suggest memories, images, stories that each of us has experienced at least once. Because happiness is never just a melody, but it is also word and vision, like that of the images that the Polish illustrator Joanna Gniady also offers to accompany this work. The opening "Joyful" is perfectly symmetrical to the "Happiness", which closes the disc: from joy, a euphoric but temporary condition of the spirit, to the awareness of a happiness that, however faint for all of us, reveals itself with a cyclical and regular rhythmic scan. As if to say that sometimes it goes away, but then it always comes back. And Dino Rubino dedicates this record to the "seekers of happiness", that is, to everyone, to that man who, at the center of the world, is also at the center of this music. ~ PianoSolo.it. 

Tǔk Music, TUK022, 2017
Recorded 3rd, 4th & 5th June, 2017 at Arte Sicilia, Acireale, Catania, Italy

Musicians:
Dino Rubino - Piano, Flugelhorn
Emanuele Cisi - Tenor Saxophone
Angelo Bonaccorso - French Horn
Gaetano Cristofaro - Bass Clarinet
Giuseppe Mirabella - Guitars
Paolino Dalla Porta - Double Bass
Adam Nussbaum - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Joyful {Dino Rubino} (6:26)
02. Van Gogh {Dino Rubino} (4:12)
03. Wind {Dino Rubino} (5:12)
04. Etna {Dino Rubino} (4:51)
05. Where Is The Happiness? {Dino Rubino} (6:33)
06. Blanc Et Noir {Dino Rubino} (0:45)
07. Sugar Man {Sixto Rodriguez} (4:12)
08. Broken Words {Dino Rubino} (6:12)
09. Souvenirs {Dino Rubino} (4:56)
10. Mondo {Dino Rubino} (6:25)
11. Happiness {Dino Rubino} (5:07) 

Total Time: 54:51 

Van Gogh

Paolo Fresu - Vinodentro (2014)

And so, it can be said here: "Jazz Meets Classical" and vice versa, "The Lyrical Fresu", "the Sardinian trumpet player improvises on the classical canons" and thus tumbling into deceptive banality. The first truth is that "Vinodentro" is a soundtrack of a film by Ferdinando Vicentini Orgnani, starring Giovanna Mezzogiorno and Vincenzo Amato. The second is that Fresu is not new to the work of this musical content: the list would be too long and tedious.

That said, this work has the advantage of not imitating any great composer of soundtracks, because falling into such a trap was easy, even for Fresu. Here, we can read all the sincere connection of the trumpeter to a work that probably goes far beyond the plot of the film. Fresu writes fourteen pieces out of sixteen: the other two "As Long As From Wine" and "Madamina, The Catalog Is This" bear the royal seal of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; then there is "Freeze" co-written with Daniele Di Bonaventura. The thread that Fresu binds and gives to the film is full of elegant textures, captivating plots, bathed in romantic notes ("Quiet"); dialogical and sown with passion as in the namesake "Martango", in three takes: the first with Di Bonaventura who acts as a rhythmic counterbalance to the enlightening ensemble ‘I Virtuosi Italiani’ and Fresu that flutters decisively and crafty even with his electronic effects. The second version is more chamber music with trumpet and bandoneon played on an equal footing. The triad ends with Di Bonaventura all alone playing in the colors and in the folds of the melody.

The narrative force comes from every meander: in the arches, stormy ("Moved") or quiet, hidden. Fresu's trumpet and flugelhorn embroiders, leads and bows even where its passage is slight, imperceptible; in the water-level games of electronics that are handled with acuity by the author himself and by Michael Anger, who stands out for that superior discretion as an engraver that very few have. And Di Bonaventura, ever more authentic and personal in handling the bandoneon. A soundtrack, perhaps even for the life of those whom you love. ~ Alceste Ayroldi, Jazzitalia.net. [Translated from Italian]

Tuk Music, CD118, 2014
Recorded 8^th October, 2013 (Strings) At Teatro Fazioli di Sacile (Udine), Italy;
9^th-11^th and 13^th February, 2013 (Other Sessions) At ArteSuono, Cavalicco (Udine) 

Musicians:
Paolo Fresu - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Electronic Effects, Piano (#3,5,9)
Daniele Di Bonaventura - Bandoneon, Piano (#11), Sring Arrangements (except #10,16)
Michael Anger - Percussion, Sampler 

The Virtuosi Italian:
===============
Alberto Martini, Constantin Beschieru, Elisabetta Fable, Carlo Menozzi, Matthew Marzaro - First Violins
Luca Falasca, Alberto Ambrosini, Ingrid Shilaku, Vinicio Capriotti - Second Violins
Flavio Ghilardi Alessandro Pandolfi, Ciro Chiapponi - Violas
Leonardo Sapere, Giordano Pegoraro, Tiziana Gasparoni - Cellos
Rino Braia - Double Bass 

Tracks:
01. Calmo [Calm] {Paolo Fresu} (3:55)
02. Martango [Take One] {Paolo Fresu} (3:31)
03. Dolomiti's Sky {Paolo Fresu} (2:23)
04. Vals Des Soeurs Belles Et Sages {Paolo Fresu} (5:04)
05. Rarefied {Paolo Fresu} (0:59)
06. Fuga [Escape] {Paolo Fresu} (2:13)
07. Martango [Take Two] {Paolo Fresu} (2:58)
08. Classico [Classic] {Paolo Fresu} (5:24)
09. La Visione Del Bipede {Paolo Fresu} (2:18)
10. Fin Ch'Han Dal Vino {W. A. Mozart} (1:29)
11. Fermo [Freeze] {Paolo Fresu} (2:41)
12. Mediterrano [Mediterranean] {Paolo Fresu} (5:40)
13. Trance Meditativa {Paolo Fresu} (1:10)
14. Martango [Take Three] {Paolo Fresu} (1:36)
15. Mosso [Moved] {Paolo Fresu} (2:50)
16. Madamina, Il Catalogo È Questo {W. A. Mozart} (5:27) 

Total Time: 49:38 

Credits:
Producer - Paolo Fresu
Sound & Mastering Engineer - Stefano Amerio
Sound Engineer - Giulio Gallo (Strings only)
Photography - Paolo Jacob
Cover Art 'Sparisce Dentro Al Foro' by Carla Accardi
Graphic Design - Benno Simma