NEIL ANGILLEY TRIO - Yambou
Angilley Music ANG004
CD and digital download available from www.angilley.com
Neil Angilley (piano, Fender Rhodes, synthesisers, vocoder, accordion, vocals); Davide Giovannini (drums, lead vocals); Davide Mantovani (bass, vocals); Snowboy (percussion)
Recorded Master Chord Studios, London 2020
The Neil Angilley Trio have played together for ten years, and the band comprises of three master musicians, whose work spans the genres of jazz, pop and world music. Neil Angilley’s musical cv includes Lionel Richie, Shirley Bassey, Vanessa Mae and Roy Hargrove. Drummer Davide Giovannini has played with everyone from Paul McCartney to Steve Winwood, and Jim Mullen to John Scofield, while bassist Davide Mantovani’s musical associates include Jason Rebello, Andy Sheppard, Nana Vasconcelos and Senegalese musician Seckou Keita. And if that wasn’t enough, all of them are accomplished vocalists. On this album, the trio’s sound is augmented by percussionist Snowboy (aka Mark Cotgrove).
The eight tracks (six originals, two covers) are a mix of jazz, Latin and funk, with two tracks seasoned with the sound of the East. The opening number, ‘Yambou’ (named after a river on the Caribbean island Saint Vincent) is a Latin-jazz number with a similar groove to George Duke’s ‘Brazilian Love Affair’ and has the same joyous feeling. Giovannini’s fine vocal performance is supported by Mantovani’s energetic bass line, flourishes of accordion, a lovely extended solo on Fender Rhodes and a driving beat. ‘Love Shines Bright’ is a bright and breezy, mid-tempo Latin number with vocals. Angilley’s acoustic piano playing really shines on this tune – listen out for his energetic run of notes at the coda.
Herbie Hancock’s ‘Butterfly’ from the 1974 album Thrust has a heavier Latin feel than the original, and is enhanced by Snowboy’s various percussive flourishes, while ‘The Firefly’ is a fast, furious funk number, driven by an infectious piano riff. The track ends with a piano/drum duet, with some lively drumming from Giovannini. My favourite number is the 10-minute ‘Chuva’ (Portuguese for ‘rain’), a mid-tempo Latin-Jazz number. It starts slowly, with a melodic bass solo by Mantovani, infused with harmonics. Snowboy’s various percussive effects supplement the sound. The track shifts up a gear, and the band members enter with some gorgeous vocal harmonies. Giovannini’s lead vocals – sung in both Portuguese and wordless vocals – are simply divine.
A vibrant version of Wayne Shorter’s ‘Footprints’ has a percussion-led intro, before Angilley starts playing the theme on acoustic piano. This is another track which highlights Angilley’s superb piano playing, and the song ends with a lively percussion solo from Snowboy. ‘Indian Summer’ has a dramatic opening, with crashing piano chords and cymbals, and includes hints of the East with sitar-sounding drone joining the mix. A repeating piano riff is doubled-up with the bass, and at the four-minute mark, the music opens up and the tempo quickens. Angilley’s piano leads the proceedings, with Giovannini and Mantovani offering strong support. The tightness of the band can be discerned by the way all three instruments lock firmly together in a repeated, fast riff. The closing track’s title, ‘Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves’ should bring a smile to your face and hints at the Eastern influence on this number. The heavy percussive intro, driving rhythm, dramatic piano chords and powerful bass riff create a vibrant mix that would sound right at home on a Bollywood soundtrack – it’s a cracking ending to a highly enjoyable album. We’re only half way through the year, but this is definitely going to be one of my jazz albums of the year.
Reviewed by George Cole
Angilley Music ANG004
CD and digital download available from www.angilley.com
Neil Angilley (piano, Fender Rhodes, synthesisers, vocoder, accordion, vocals); Davide Giovannini (drums, lead vocals); Davide Mantovani (bass, vocals); Snowboy (percussion)
Recorded Master Chord Studios, London 2020
The Neil Angilley Trio have played together for ten years, and the band comprises of three master musicians, whose work spans the genres of jazz, pop and world music. Neil Angilley’s musical cv includes Lionel Richie, Shirley Bassey, Vanessa Mae and Roy Hargrove. Drummer Davide Giovannini has played with everyone from Paul McCartney to Steve Winwood, and Jim Mullen to John Scofield, while bassist Davide Mantovani’s musical associates include Jason Rebello, Andy Sheppard, Nana Vasconcelos and Senegalese musician Seckou Keita. And if that wasn’t enough, all of them are accomplished vocalists. On this album, the trio’s sound is augmented by percussionist Snowboy (aka Mark Cotgrove).
The eight tracks (six originals, two covers) are a mix of jazz, Latin and funk, with two tracks seasoned with the sound of the East. The opening number, ‘Yambou’ (named after a river on the Caribbean island Saint Vincent) is a Latin-jazz number with a similar groove to George Duke’s ‘Brazilian Love Affair’ and has the same joyous feeling. Giovannini’s fine vocal performance is supported by Mantovani’s energetic bass line, flourishes of accordion, a lovely extended solo on Fender Rhodes and a driving beat. ‘Love Shines Bright’ is a bright and breezy, mid-tempo Latin number with vocals. Angilley’s acoustic piano playing really shines on this tune – listen out for his energetic run of notes at the coda.
Herbie Hancock’s ‘Butterfly’ from the 1974 album Thrust has a heavier Latin feel than the original, and is enhanced by Snowboy’s various percussive flourishes, while ‘The Firefly’ is a fast, furious funk number, driven by an infectious piano riff. The track ends with a piano/drum duet, with some lively drumming from Giovannini. My favourite number is the 10-minute ‘Chuva’ (Portuguese for ‘rain’), a mid-tempo Latin-Jazz number. It starts slowly, with a melodic bass solo by Mantovani, infused with harmonics. Snowboy’s various percussive effects supplement the sound. The track shifts up a gear, and the band members enter with some gorgeous vocal harmonies. Giovannini’s lead vocals – sung in both Portuguese and wordless vocals – are simply divine.
A vibrant version of Wayne Shorter’s ‘Footprints’ has a percussion-led intro, before Angilley starts playing the theme on acoustic piano. This is another track which highlights Angilley’s superb piano playing, and the song ends with a lively percussion solo from Snowboy. ‘Indian Summer’ has a dramatic opening, with crashing piano chords and cymbals, and includes hints of the East with sitar-sounding drone joining the mix. A repeating piano riff is doubled-up with the bass, and at the four-minute mark, the music opens up and the tempo quickens. Angilley’s piano leads the proceedings, with Giovannini and Mantovani offering strong support. The tightness of the band can be discerned by the way all three instruments lock firmly together in a repeated, fast riff. The closing track’s title, ‘Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves’ should bring a smile to your face and hints at the Eastern influence on this number. The heavy percussive intro, driving rhythm, dramatic piano chords and powerful bass riff create a vibrant mix that would sound right at home on a Bollywood soundtrack – it’s a cracking ending to a highly enjoyable album. We’re only half way through the year, but this is definitely going to be one of my jazz albums of the year.
Reviewed by George Cole
