LUIZ MORETTO QUINTET - Vampyroteuthis Infernalis
SLAM Records: SLAMCD 558
Luiz Moretto – violin & rabeca; Alípio C Neto – tenor & soprano saxophone, Brazilian bells, whistles; Francesco Lo Cascio – vibraphone, percussion; Gianfranco Tedeschi – double bass; Marco Ariano – drums, percussion
Exquisite bowing introduces the album in its opening track, "Espiral do Tempo", which continues on its way with lovely, spirited work from both violin and vibraphone. Lo Cascio sustains the saxes and violin beautifully in the absence of piano, as well as taking some enthusiastic solos. He studied the instrument originally at Berklee College, Boston, under the tutelage of Gary Burton and now has a busy programme of clubs, festivals, radio, television and teaching. He works within the Free Jazz culture in Italy, along with Marco Ariano and Gianfranco Tedeschi. These latter may be best known for their contribution together to the trio Xubuxue, with Elio Martusciello (laptop) appearing on the 10-CDMusica Improvvisa. This has become something of an obsession or cult 'must-have' for aficionados of Italian improv (anybody got a spare copy?).
All but tracks 6 and 7, which are collaborations with other band-members, were composed by Moretto and it will be clear that, in spite of the provenance of the musicians discussed, this is not 'free' music. Moretto hails from Brazil, moving to Portugal in 2000 and Alípio C Neto has worked with him for some ten years. Moretto's compositions are strongly evocative of Afro-Brazilian arrangements which allow the individual's improvisation to flourish. It's cool and there is a strong sense of empathy between the musicians which, with the strength of Lo Cascio's provision, holds it all together.
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham
SLAM Records: SLAMCD 558
Luiz Moretto – violin & rabeca; Alípio C Neto – tenor & soprano saxophone, Brazilian bells, whistles; Francesco Lo Cascio – vibraphone, percussion; Gianfranco Tedeschi – double bass; Marco Ariano – drums, percussion
Exquisite bowing introduces the album in its opening track, "Espiral do Tempo", which continues on its way with lovely, spirited work from both violin and vibraphone. Lo Cascio sustains the saxes and violin beautifully in the absence of piano, as well as taking some enthusiastic solos. He studied the instrument originally at Berklee College, Boston, under the tutelage of Gary Burton and now has a busy programme of clubs, festivals, radio, television and teaching. He works within the Free Jazz culture in Italy, along with Marco Ariano and Gianfranco Tedeschi. These latter may be best known for their contribution together to the trio Xubuxue, with Elio Martusciello (laptop) appearing on the 10-CDMusica Improvvisa. This has become something of an obsession or cult 'must-have' for aficionados of Italian improv (anybody got a spare copy?).
All but tracks 6 and 7, which are collaborations with other band-members, were composed by Moretto and it will be clear that, in spite of the provenance of the musicians discussed, this is not 'free' music. Moretto hails from Brazil, moving to Portugal in 2000 and Alípio C Neto has worked with him for some ten years. Moretto's compositions are strongly evocative of Afro-Brazilian arrangements which allow the individual's improvisation to flourish. It's cool and there is a strong sense of empathy between the musicians which, with the strength of Lo Cascio's provision, holds it all together.
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham
