NEW MUSIC: GERARDO FRISINA – BLUE LATIN; ADAM BEN EZRA – PIN DROP; LUCA MANNUTZA QUINTET - REMEMBERING

GERARDO FRISINA – BLUE LATIN

A great small combo set from percussionist Gerardo Frisina – a set that feels as if it's got some programming in the rhythms, a bit like some of his earlier singles – but which also features a fair bit of live jazz instrumentation too! The album's got a sound that really fits the color of the title – tunes that are upbeat, but nicely chromatic too – thanks to some excellent piano lines, balanced alongside trumpet, tenor, and flute – plus some warm acoustic basslines, and a bit of Fender Rhodes as well! As always with Frisina, even when the rhythms are programmed, they're never too stiff – as the man draws more inspiration from classic Latin sounds than most of his producer contemporaries, and really knows how to make things sound great. Titles include "Mulata", "Blue Latin", "Incanto", "Baracoa", "Naquela Base", and "Olympia (part 2)".~ Dusty Groove 

ADAM BEN EZRA – PIN DROP

Pretty wonderful sounds from Adam Ben Ezra – an artist who works here completely solo, but with a flowing range of sounds that's completely hypnotizing overall! Ezra's a bassist at heart, but also plays piano and clarinet on the record – and also vocalizes a bit, and adds in some foot stomps too – all with this earthy, organic approach to his instruments that really opens up their sonic possibilities, while still also keeping things in a forward-moving, always-swinging style! The work on bass is especially wonderful – as Adam's strong, deep notes are extremely powerful – and often offset by more unusual touches on the strings – not in a gimmicky way, but just fresh sonic expressions. Titles include "Prayer", "Silk Road", "Balagusto", "Can't Stop Running", "Brown Piano", and "India Time".  ~ Dusty Groove

LUCA MANNUTZA QUINTET - REMEMBERING

Great work from a jazz quintet who really knows how to make things soar – a group that's led by pianist Luca Mannutza, who we've really loved on previous records – and who seems to hit new heights with this album! The group have a very round, rolling sound – one that fuses Mannutza's piano with the alto of Paolo Recchia and guitar of Enrico Bracco, in these swirling lines that are pushed along by tremendous work on bass by Luca Bulgarelli, whose warmth really makes the music shine. The elements are familiar, but the way they fuse together is very unique – on titles that include "Blake Runner", "Dedalo", "Circles", "Silent Prayer", "Solar", "Vortex", and "Gira Mondo Gira".  ~ Dusty Groove