CD Review: Tommaso Starace - Harmony Less Quartet - NARROW ESCAPE

Tommaso Starace (alto sax); Dave O'Higgins (tenor sax); Davide Liberti (bass); Ruben Bellavia (drums).

(Review by Lance).

I first encountered Starace in 2011. It was a JNE gig that fluctuated between dates and venues before ending up, at the shortest of notices, at The Chilli. It was worth the confusion and the uncertainty as, when it did eventually happen, it was one of the best gigs of that year!

Since then, several CDs by the Italian saxman have passed through the BSH portals and all absolutely ace.

This latest one is no exception and, like Mulligan & Baker all those years ago, it rubber stamps the theory that a band can swing without the sometimes restricting presence of a chordal instrument such as a piano or guitar. The Mulligan Quartet, wonderful as it was, epitomised cool whereas this is much warmer, even fiery at times with some wonderful interplay between the horns - a kind of baroque bebop. 

In Starace and O'Higgins you have a pair so well matched that one flows seamlessly into the other whilst at the helm, Liberti ensures they don't stray off course. Bellavia does the job and catches all the breaks as well as making his presence felt. This is perhaps the difference between this band and the Mulligan Quartet. No shrinking violets these two rhythm men!

Nine tracks, 5 originals by Starace and 4 numbers by Coltrane (Grand Central), Monk (Trinkle Tinkle), Jimmy Van Heusen (Like Someone in Love) & Dizzy's Bebop. 

Love it!

Lance.

Available soon...