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review by Michael Debbage I received this promotional CD in the mail and loved the colorful exotic artwork on the cover and was not quite sure what to expect. I inserted the CD into my computer and Real Player's genre category defined it as generally unclassifiable. Definitely an appropriate response as this group wanders the genres like a meandering gypsy. The eclectic nature includes influences of jazz, Greek, Mediterranean, Middle East and new age that makes for a melting pot of assorted songs and stories. This is without a doubt the most interesting project I have heard so far this year. The disc opens with the rather odd but exotic "Ricardo o me nomi" that has a strange use of minor chords with a mix of pulsating percussion work combined with an almost off-key flute arrangements. The occasional vocal chants add to this perplexing yet moving mix. Speaking of oddities, skip forward to the stirring alto sax on "Sanghe meu" which is integrated with additional stirring percussion work. This song is very moving and daring. It even includes a narrative storyteller. Unfortunately, the latter while a courageous move, seems to distract from the composition and its musical success. In fact, there is continual sporadic narrative on other tracks that creates a lack of cohesiveness and focus. This is why "Duci Velenu" is much more attractive which limits the lyrical content to chants and vocalization versus spoken word. Or for that matter the sultry moody "Lu munnu brucia" that features chief composer and musical anchor Bob Salmieri on clarinet. Purists of instrumentalist music should be aware that the vocal work on this track is prominent here. The most conservative track is left until last courtesy of the mystical jazzy "Signori, si chiude," which includes some masterful clarinet work from Bob Salmieri. And it is no hidden secret that I tend to venture very little in musical exploration when it comes to contemporary instrumental music thus this track is without a doubt my favorite on the album. Though this album has some fine moments, it never quite hits on all four cylinders and really does not suit my fancy. However, the work spearheaded by Italian composer and sax player Bob Salmieri is a bold exploration that places me into his brave new world of creative and artistic freedom. And that alone deserves kudos. |
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