No More Mr. Nice Guy
It's increasingly evident that jazz fans can count on superior releases from Cambridge's own Accurate Records. The latest proof comes in this challenging yet accessible disc from Italian-born, Boston-based bassist Lello Molinari. To begin, Molinari, a relative unknown, shows impeccable taste in his supporting cast, which includes Fringe saxophonist George Garzone and Either-Orchestra drummer Matt Wilson.
Garzone, in particular, gets plenty of space, and like Molinari, contributes three numbers including the memorably melodic title track. Garzone really pushes the hinges of his tenor, though, in a robust soliloquy of stops, starts, squeal and screeches in "Stuntman," a tune composed by guitarist Luigi Tessarollo, who steps out with jazzy chordings that slide into choked atonalities pointing to a Sonny Sharrock influence. Tessarollo tastefully shadows Garzone on the latter's "Your Child", one of two ballads. The other, Molinari's closing "Goodnight Sweetheart," features pensive interplay between Douglas Yates on bass clarinet and Garzone, over a tinkling brook of percussion. It's a striking bit of counterpoint - and quite a contrast to Molinari's short, preceding "The Wall," where the quintet engages tangled, tumbling Ornette Coleman-styled momentum.
Earlier, Molinari nods to Thelonius Monk's rhythmic flavor in "Blues Anyone?" and sets the tone for the disc in the lead track of "C'era Chi?," juxtaposing a mainstream melody with avant garde atonal jabs. It was inspired by a rehearsal room where Molinari heard different music on the other side of a wall. Wherever these sounds come from, this album swings with a fresh intensity.
- Paul Robicheau
