(Review by Lance).
A poignant tribute to Pellitteri's daughter, Veronica, who passed away at the age of 23 in 2014, Aquarius Woman, even without the emotive background, would still be one hell of a record. In fact, I doubt that the leader was looking for the sympathy vote, much as it would be appreciated, but rather that he paid respect to his daughter by dedicating the best music he was capable of to her, ensuring her memory would be carried beyond family and friends.
He succeeds.
The guests are excellent, conveying the mood aimed at. Garzone's tenor sets the mood and Prescod's vocal hits the spot but, overall, the core quartet are the ones at the heart - and I use the word advisedly - of the project. Hearing Veronica reading a poem written by an Indonesian poet named Murtiningrum, a woman who was arrested and abused by the Indonesian military in the 1960s is a heartrending and yet, uplifting experience. However, putting all this to one side, it's an excellent album either because of or despite the background to the music.
Loved it and maybe shed a silent tear.
Lance.
Marcello Pellitteri (drums); Orazio Maugeri (alto); Salvatore Bonafede (piao);Gabrio Bevilacqua (bass) + (1 track each) George Garzone (tenort); Nedelka Prescod (vocals); Rino Cirinna (tenor); Lauren Kinhan (vocals); Yvonnick Prene (harmonica); Maecello Tedaro (el. guitar & spoken word); Veronica Pellitteri (spoken word).
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