FILIPPO COSENTINO - Andromeda
NAU 1309
Filippo Cosentino (baritone acoustic, classical & archtop jazz guitars); Ekkehard Wölk (piano); Johannes Fink (double bass); Andrea Marcelli (drums)
Recorded February 19 & 20, 2018
If there has been a trend of late of recorded shorter albums rather than an hour or close to the maximum eighty minutes allowed on the silver disc, then this lovely set from Italian guitarist, Filippo Consentino give credence to the less is more theory.
Playing a variety of different guitars Cosentino has plenty of interest to say on each of his chosen axes, but goes about his business quietly allowing his music to speak for itself. And this is does in volumes. There are no big numbers on Andromeda but there is a consistency and sense of continuity throughout, despite the guitarist taking us from conventional swing to free improvisation in the space of ten relatively short compositions.
With the set Cosentino includes a three part suite, all played on classical guitar, and positioned at strategic points on the album entitled 'Soul', 'Ohi' and 'Dancing', with the first two pieces being delightfully lyrical with some wonderful interplay between guitar and piano and this is a trait that is present throughout the album. The third and final part of the suite , 'Dancing', makes reference to children playing and the feelings evoked in watching the joy and innocence of childhood. Indeed the music also imparts some mischief making too, with the dancing melody interspersed with some free passages that break up the rhyhthm and flow of the imaginary dance.
This brief flirtation with freeley improvised music is also heard on ''Upsilon Andromedae A' and 'Upsilon Andromedae B'. Such is the empathy between the quartet heard on these two pieces that the music sounds very organic and complete containing a very explicit dialogue with some pre-determined signposts. In complete contrast comes 'Caught 22', a conventional blues that swings effortlessly with with a catchy theme that is reminiscent of Pat Metheny at his best. Filippo gets off a delightful bluesy solo that is immediately followed by a lithe and light offering by pianist, Ekkehard Wölk.
This is an enjoyably varied set that retains a common thread through all ten original compositions by the leader, and if Filippo Cosentino is a new name to many then it is certainly one that is worth checking out. Highly recommended.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
NAU 1309
Filippo Cosentino (baritone acoustic, classical & archtop jazz guitars); Ekkehard Wölk (piano); Johannes Fink (double bass); Andrea Marcelli (drums)
Recorded February 19 & 20, 2018
If there has been a trend of late of recorded shorter albums rather than an hour or close to the maximum eighty minutes allowed on the silver disc, then this lovely set from Italian guitarist, Filippo Consentino give credence to the less is more theory.
Playing a variety of different guitars Cosentino has plenty of interest to say on each of his chosen axes, but goes about his business quietly allowing his music to speak for itself. And this is does in volumes. There are no big numbers on Andromeda but there is a consistency and sense of continuity throughout, despite the guitarist taking us from conventional swing to free improvisation in the space of ten relatively short compositions.
With the set Cosentino includes a three part suite, all played on classical guitar, and positioned at strategic points on the album entitled 'Soul', 'Ohi' and 'Dancing', with the first two pieces being delightfully lyrical with some wonderful interplay between guitar and piano and this is a trait that is present throughout the album. The third and final part of the suite , 'Dancing', makes reference to children playing and the feelings evoked in watching the joy and innocence of childhood. Indeed the music also imparts some mischief making too, with the dancing melody interspersed with some free passages that break up the rhyhthm and flow of the imaginary dance.
This brief flirtation with freeley improvised music is also heard on ''Upsilon Andromedae A' and 'Upsilon Andromedae B'. Such is the empathy between the quartet heard on these two pieces that the music sounds very organic and complete containing a very explicit dialogue with some pre-determined signposts. In complete contrast comes 'Caught 22', a conventional blues that swings effortlessly with with a catchy theme that is reminiscent of Pat Metheny at his best. Filippo gets off a delightful bluesy solo that is immediately followed by a lithe and light offering by pianist, Ekkehard Wölk.
This is an enjoyably varied set that retains a common thread through all ten original compositions by the leader, and if Filippo Cosentino is a new name to many then it is certainly one that is worth checking out. Highly recommended.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
