HETTY AND THE JAZZATO BAND - Back In The Swing Of Things
(Self -produced)
Hetty Loxton (v); Richard Muscat, Stephanie Legg (as, cl); Fabricio Bonacci (elg); Alessandro Cimaschi (b); Ricardo Castellani (d)
Recorded London 2020.
We move back to the 1930/1940s swing era with this release, a heady mixture of Latin, Gypsy, jive and lively Italian folk melodies. The five- piece band has a very full sound, usually comprising clarinets, guitar, bass and drums. Hetty Loxton is the vibrant vocalist on every piece, evoking memories of the music of Louis Prima and others in that format with her upbeat singing. The music begins with On An Evening In Roma and continues with the more well known Quando, Quando, Quando. This is followed by Angelino, a favourite of Prima and sung and played here with a samba type bounce. As this music is spoken of as Italian in concept by the musicians in the sleeve notes, I thought perhaps it originated there but it was recorded at The Cow Recording Shed Studio in London, believe it or not and, of course, the music mixes several Latin and other genres. It is certainly bright, happy music from start to finish, if lacking a little in originality.
On several tracks Richard Muscat and Stephanie Legg play simultaneous clarinet solos together, swinging it briskly along with the rhythm section. Along with the familiar material are two compositions by guitarist on the date, Fabrizio Bonacci. At Dawn is a medium -up swing track and Southern Impressions is a medium tempo song inspired by the Mediterranean sea. Both are attractive melodies which the band and Hetty attack joyously. The group is made up of three Italian musicians and three with European or English names, so it is a mixed country offering. The music, light and bouncy and firmly in that Latin jazz groove is bright and swinging lightly.
Reviewed by Derek Ansell
(Self -produced)
Hetty Loxton (v); Richard Muscat, Stephanie Legg (as, cl); Fabricio Bonacci (elg); Alessandro Cimaschi (b); Ricardo Castellani (d)
Recorded London 2020.
We move back to the 1930/1940s swing era with this release, a heady mixture of Latin, Gypsy, jive and lively Italian folk melodies. The five- piece band has a very full sound, usually comprising clarinets, guitar, bass and drums. Hetty Loxton is the vibrant vocalist on every piece, evoking memories of the music of Louis Prima and others in that format with her upbeat singing. The music begins with On An Evening In Roma and continues with the more well known Quando, Quando, Quando. This is followed by Angelino, a favourite of Prima and sung and played here with a samba type bounce. As this music is spoken of as Italian in concept by the musicians in the sleeve notes, I thought perhaps it originated there but it was recorded at The Cow Recording Shed Studio in London, believe it or not and, of course, the music mixes several Latin and other genres. It is certainly bright, happy music from start to finish, if lacking a little in originality.
On several tracks Richard Muscat and Stephanie Legg play simultaneous clarinet solos together, swinging it briskly along with the rhythm section. Along with the familiar material are two compositions by guitarist on the date, Fabrizio Bonacci. At Dawn is a medium -up swing track and Southern Impressions is a medium tempo song inspired by the Mediterranean sea. Both are attractive melodies which the band and Hetty attack joyously. The group is made up of three Italian musicians and three with European or English names, so it is a mixed country offering. The music, light and bouncy and firmly in that Latin jazz groove is bright and swinging lightly.
Reviewed by Derek Ansell
