GALLEASS - Mirror Labyrinth
Antmar Records 67-01
Antonio Marzinotto (guitar); Alex Hutton (piano); Miles Danso (double bass); Eric Ford (drums)
Recorded September 2017
Galleass is the latest project from guitarist, Antonio Marzinotto in which he looks to represent his musical development since his arrival in the UK nearly fifteen years ago. The intervening years have seen Marzinotto establish himself firmly as an in demand session musician, but more importantly with this fine release a composer, bandleader and soloist of real stature.
With Galleas he has assemble a formidable band capable of handling his original, and sometimes tricky compositions with aplomb, and able to make fresh and interesting music. As with many players, Marzinotto is not willing to be confined by strict genre definitions or limitations and is content to let his music speak in many tongues. He therefore incorporates elements of musics learned throughout his career that include jazz along with the bossa nova, samba and tango from South America. His jazz pedigree shine through brightly along with his fondness for rock and fusion music and blends these disparate elements into music that is wholly satisfying even if it does not swing in the most conventional sense.
What Marzinotto does do is write interesting, both melodically and rhythmically, compositions that allow the music to breathe with a natural ease. The melodies evolve telling a story from which the solos are integral part of the overall structure, and the result is that as a listener your are carried along with the narrative rather than just hearing a theme followed by solos, and then waiting for the return of the original theme to signal the end of the tune.
'Notte di Marzo' is a haunting a beguiling ballad, with wonderful contributions from both Alex Hutton at the piano, and bassist Miles Danso; and at the opposite end of the spectrum 'Constant Variable' and 'Traffic In Mistery Land' Marzinotto's rock influence sticks its head above the parapet in a most agreeable manner. For the remainder, the guitarist sticks to a warm and lyrical sound of which the opening 'Em Dez Minutos is a fine example, and 'Still As Water' is allowed to develop at a gentle pace, a group performance that is perfectly balanced and executed.
What helps the cause greatly is that Marzinotto has managed to secure the talents of some f the most versatile and creative musicians on the scene. Pianist, Alex Hutton needs no introduction as one of the most imaginative of players, and has been leading his own trio for the last decade and a half to critical acclaim. Drummer, Eric Ford is also at the forefront of the current UK scene, most notable perhaps working with the group, Partikal, while Miles Danso on double plays with impeccable time, tone and sensitivity.
All in all a superb debut from a band who have quickly established a sound that gently pushes at the listeners expectations, and then delvers handsomely.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
Antmar Records 67-01
Antonio Marzinotto (guitar); Alex Hutton (piano); Miles Danso (double bass); Eric Ford (drums)
Recorded September 2017
Galleass is the latest project from guitarist, Antonio Marzinotto in which he looks to represent his musical development since his arrival in the UK nearly fifteen years ago. The intervening years have seen Marzinotto establish himself firmly as an in demand session musician, but more importantly with this fine release a composer, bandleader and soloist of real stature.
With Galleas he has assemble a formidable band capable of handling his original, and sometimes tricky compositions with aplomb, and able to make fresh and interesting music. As with many players, Marzinotto is not willing to be confined by strict genre definitions or limitations and is content to let his music speak in many tongues. He therefore incorporates elements of musics learned throughout his career that include jazz along with the bossa nova, samba and tango from South America. His jazz pedigree shine through brightly along with his fondness for rock and fusion music and blends these disparate elements into music that is wholly satisfying even if it does not swing in the most conventional sense.
What Marzinotto does do is write interesting, both melodically and rhythmically, compositions that allow the music to breathe with a natural ease. The melodies evolve telling a story from which the solos are integral part of the overall structure, and the result is that as a listener your are carried along with the narrative rather than just hearing a theme followed by solos, and then waiting for the return of the original theme to signal the end of the tune.
'Notte di Marzo' is a haunting a beguiling ballad, with wonderful contributions from both Alex Hutton at the piano, and bassist Miles Danso; and at the opposite end of the spectrum 'Constant Variable' and 'Traffic In Mistery Land' Marzinotto's rock influence sticks its head above the parapet in a most agreeable manner. For the remainder, the guitarist sticks to a warm and lyrical sound of which the opening 'Em Dez Minutos is a fine example, and 'Still As Water' is allowed to develop at a gentle pace, a group performance that is perfectly balanced and executed.
What helps the cause greatly is that Marzinotto has managed to secure the talents of some f the most versatile and creative musicians on the scene. Pianist, Alex Hutton needs no introduction as one of the most imaginative of players, and has been leading his own trio for the last decade and a half to critical acclaim. Drummer, Eric Ford is also at the forefront of the current UK scene, most notable perhaps working with the group, Partikal, while Miles Danso on double plays with impeccable time, tone and sensitivity.
All in all a superb debut from a band who have quickly established a sound that gently pushes at the listeners expectations, and then delvers handsomely.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
