'Circles' marks the latest release from revered Italian pianist Luca Mannutza whose famed career - that has seen him perform around the world and become a staple of Italy's jazz landscape - now brings him to the esteemed recording home of A.MA Records.
Mannutza has left an indelible imprint for Italy and some of their most celebrated releases and ensembles for years now. Born in Cagliari, Mannutza can boast being a graduate of Cagliari's GP da Palestrina Conservatory before going on to win a litany of awards and distinctions: Ennio Porrino Prize (1981), the first prize in the International Massimo Urbani Award (2002), the Audience Award at the International Tramplin Jazz Competition in Avignon, France, amongst others.
With a flair for improvisation and collaboration, Mannutza would go on to immerse himself within a variety of ensembles, namely his work as part of Sound Advice, Sound Six, as well as duo projects alongside saxophonist Max Ionata and drummer Lorenzo Tucci, notwithstanding his collaborations with Rosalia de Souza, Jeremy Pelt and Fabrizio Bosso.
Mannutza's contributions as a member of High Five found even greater international acclaim particularly with their collaborative efforts with Mario Biondi - garnering the hit 'This Is What You Are' from the album 'Handful of Soul' (Schema, 2006).
The arrival of 'Circles' serves as a poignant release, particularly in light of Mannutza's stunning career to date. The notion of 'circles' always serves as evocative symbolism - while it invites ideas of wholeness, unity and balance, within the context of Mannutza's eight-track album, we're introduced to the compelling narrative of a life cycle with songs that incorporate elements of awareness, isolation, change, love and loss.
Presented by Mannutza's Quintet - comprised of saxophonist Paolo Recchia, vibraphonist Jordan Corda, double-bassist Daniele Sorrentino and Sasha Mashin on drums - the album's concept is introduced brilliantly with the album's near-ten-minute opening number. A sensational opener that finds everyone on spectacular form and delivering an impassioned and vibrant performance. It sets the standard for everything that follows - the more sublime and measured tone of 'Metamorpho', the playful 'Black Comedy' and the charming take on Bobby Hutcherson's 'Herzog' is again a definitive highlight.
The album's divine final track, 'The End of a Love Affair', represents a beautiful sentiment that finds a person returning to love's beginning through its end. More specifically, it's a return of the person to themself but after having been altered by all of life's events that preceded it.
No comments:
Post a Comment