A debut quartet album by Pino who certainly knows his way around the horn. His technique is such that were his solo on Fred Hersch's Phantom of the Bopera transcribed and included as an anonymous exercise in the advanced section of a saxophone tutor he himself would struggle to play it whereas mere mortals would either sell their saxophones and buy a ukulele or spend the rest of their life practising.
Yes he can play!
It's an exciting album and, as the title implies, apart from the final track (Waltz for MD by bassist Rosato), they are cutting edge takes on compositions by Tonina Horta, Fred Hersch, Parker, Payton, Pearson, Peter Schlamb and Alex LoRe with Pino's hard-blowing, muscular, tenor leading the way ably supported by Alex Goodman's guitar - yet another name to note - and Rosato's bass.
On drums, Mednard drives it along like a man possessed albeit, if this had been a live gig I wouldn't want to have been sitting down front such is the power of his approach (or maybe it's the guy next door putting up shelves). Having said that he is suitably restrained on the latter two tracks.
It's well worth checking out. Lance
Available on the Outside in Music label.
Moonstone; Phantom of the Bopera; Relaxin' at Camarillo; Triptych; New Girl; REL; Amnesia; Waltz for MD
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