Multiple Personalities Lello Molinari (db) Mick Goodrick (gui), Frank Carlberg (pf), Marcello Pellitteri (dr), Chiara Civello (vcls) Bob Gullotti (dr), Jeff Galindo (trbn), George Garzone (ten & sop sax) Splasc(h) Records CDH 823.2 Italian bassist Lello Molinari studied in Boston, where he now teaches. For this CD he has assembled many of his Boston friends and colleagues (some with Italian backgrounds) to produce a personal memento of his musical experiences of the past decade or so. The album opens with a slow minor blues by George Garzone, dedicated to John Coltrane, in which trombone, guitar, tenor saxophone and drum solos follow each other. The improvising is framed by some free clattering with wordless vocals. Track two is the only piece written by the leader. It consists entirely of a twitchy assortment f free-form scrapes, squeaks and bangs – certainly no discernible melody here. A Monk tune follows (Friday the 13th), in which Molinari’s swinging walking bass line is joined by piano and drums. Jimmy Rowles’ The Peacocks is a tricky melody, especially for arco bass. Molinari has a good stab at it while accompanying himself with pizz chords and col legno effect. Sparse piano arpeggios from the gifted Frank Carlberg and eerie percussion help create a haunting and somewhat magical mood. Tarantella and Malafemmena represent a trip back to Molinari’s Neapolitan roots. Chiara Civello’s passionate vocal and Garzone’s tenor solo on the latter are nicely delivered, although the song is a bit of a dirge. Two more Monk tunes are followed by a 6/8 rendition of the well-known Invitation in which trombonist Jeff Galindo shines. Molinari pronounces in his sleeve notes: ‘I mostly listen to drummers, because the three most important things in jazz are time, time and time.’ Actually, he has good time, although he has a tendency to stop playing just when the rhythm section settles into a good groove. His sound is clear and full and the album, although mixed in style, is well made. MC

Multiple Personalities

Lello Molinari (db)

Mick Goodrick (gui), Frank Carlberg (pf), Marcello Pellitteri (dr),

Chiara Civello (vcls) Bob Gullotti (dr), Jeff Galindo (trbn),

George Garzone (ten & sop sax)

Splasc(h) Records CDH 823.2

Italian bassist Lello Molinari studied in Boston, where he now teaches. For this CD he has assembled many of his Boston friends and colleagues (some with Italian backgrounds) to produce a personal memento of his musical experiences of the past decade or so.

The album opens with a slow minor blues by George Garzone, dedicated to John Coltrane, in which trombone, guitar, tenor saxophone and drum solos follow each other. The improvising is framed by some free clattering with wordless vocals. Track two is the only piece written by the leader. It consists entirely of a twitchy assortment f free-form scrapes, squeaks and bangs – certainly no discernible melody here. A Monk tune follows (Friday the 13th), in which Molinari’s swinging walking bass line is joined by piano and drums.

Jimmy Rowles’ The Peacocks is a tricky melody, especially for arco bass. Molinari has a good stab at it while accompanying himself with pizz chords and col legno effect. Sparse piano arpeggios from the gifted Frank Carlberg and eerie percussion help create a haunting and somewhat magical mood. Tarantella and Malafemmena represent a trip back to Molinari’s Neapolitan roots. Chiara Civello’s passionate vocal and Garzone’s tenor solo on the latter are nicely delivered, although the song is a bit of a dirge. Two more Monk tunes are followed by a 6/8 rendition of the well-known Invitation in which trombonist Jeff Galindo shines.

Molinari pronounces in his sleeve notes: ‘I mostly listen to drummers, because the three most important things in jazz are time, time and time.’ Actually, he has good time, although he has a tendency to stop playing just when the rhythm section settles into a good groove. His sound is clear and full and the album, although mixed in style, is well made. MC