LUCA AQUINO – Aqustico Vol 2
Losen LOS 182-2
Luca Aquino: trumpet, flugelhorn; Carmine Ioanna: accordion, electronic effects; Giampiero Franco: percussion (tracks 7 and 8)
Recorded April 2017, Sonorika Studio, Benevento, Italy
The ‘volume 2’ in the title reflects the heritage of this set. Both Aqustico and volume 2 feature accordion accompanying Aquino’s trumpet and flugelhorn. Where they differ is in the background to the pieces; in the first volume, Ioanna and Aquino played with a rhythm section, while here they move to the more familiar approach (for Aquino) of weaving a host of subtle and very stylish electronic effects in and around the music. The effect is to create haunting and ethereal backdrops over which Aquino’s crystal clear playing shines and upon which the warmth of Ionna’s accordion playing creates an intimacy that draws the listener into each piece. Each of the nine tracks has its own narrative, with the twists and turns of a well-told story. Aquino’s clarity of tone bridges the classical and jazz worlds, while his phrasing and response to the soundscape around him show an intuitive bop sensibility. Aquino's tender phrasing of Charles Aznavour's 'She' (track 7) is worth the price of CD alone. Overall, this is a deeply compelling and richly rewarding set which, in its own modestly lyrical way, is one of my favourite records of this year.
The cover features a sketch of a bicycle (by Mimmo Paladino) and this celebrates the ‘wheels not walls’ cycling marathon that Aquino planned – cycling across Europe, gigging each night. Sadly (as of July), his tour had to be postponed when he contracted Bells Palsy. We hope that he is recovering and that he continues to make music as beautiful as this.
Reviewed by Chris Baber
Losen LOS 182-2
Luca Aquino: trumpet, flugelhorn; Carmine Ioanna: accordion, electronic effects; Giampiero Franco: percussion (tracks 7 and 8)
Recorded April 2017, Sonorika Studio, Benevento, Italy
The ‘volume 2’ in the title reflects the heritage of this set. Both Aqustico and volume 2 feature accordion accompanying Aquino’s trumpet and flugelhorn. Where they differ is in the background to the pieces; in the first volume, Ioanna and Aquino played with a rhythm section, while here they move to the more familiar approach (for Aquino) of weaving a host of subtle and very stylish electronic effects in and around the music. The effect is to create haunting and ethereal backdrops over which Aquino’s crystal clear playing shines and upon which the warmth of Ionna’s accordion playing creates an intimacy that draws the listener into each piece. Each of the nine tracks has its own narrative, with the twists and turns of a well-told story. Aquino’s clarity of tone bridges the classical and jazz worlds, while his phrasing and response to the soundscape around him show an intuitive bop sensibility. Aquino's tender phrasing of Charles Aznavour's 'She' (track 7) is worth the price of CD alone. Overall, this is a deeply compelling and richly rewarding set which, in its own modestly lyrical way, is one of my favourite records of this year.
The cover features a sketch of a bicycle (by Mimmo Paladino) and this celebrates the ‘wheels not walls’ cycling marathon that Aquino planned – cycling across Europe, gigging each night. Sadly (as of July), his tour had to be postponed when he contracted Bells Palsy. We hope that he is recovering and that he continues to make music as beautiful as this.
Reviewed by Chris Baber
