(Review by
Wes.)
I can’t say that I’m particularly familiar with the Jazz
scene in Rome
The album features 7 tracks in total and manages to very
effectively fuse the instruments we would traditionally associate with Jazz
such as Trumpet, Piano, Bass and Drums along with Electronics and the lovely
organic sound of the Melodica, there’s even some Vibraphone and Flute in there
for good measure. I’ve always been a big fan of the Melodica and to hear it
within a swinging modern Jazz context is really refreshing and helps to elevate
this album, to bring it into it’s own and give the music it’s own sense of
identity.
Like the best Jazz albums “Synthesis” seems to balance
very accordingly part composition and part improvisation to maintain both
stability whilst retaining the playful and magical edge that comes with true
reactionary improvised music. Similarly the artwork for the album whilst being
by no means original does suit the recordings very well featuring a gathering
of birds, some of which remain static and solid perched on a tree or telegraph
wire whilst others fly free in the air, there is something very simple or
should I say refined about this incredibly accomplished music and it’s
presentation.
Stylistically there isn’t really a way to pin point what’s
happening here which is part of the beauty, it’s modern and it’s most
definitely Jazz!… and somewhere in their you’ll find slices of Be-Bop,
Freeform, Classical and a distinctive Italian edge, there’s a warmth.
Track 5 “Fragments Of Autumn” for me stands out in particular,
it has a great hook and flows so lovely with a great mesh of sounds to prick up
your ears. The albums conclusion “Hymn of the Inventions” is also well worthy
of a mention, a long ethereal trip built around the Melodica.
This album is released by Principal Records and you can
find out more at www.claudioscolari.com
Wesley Stephenson
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