'Secret Garden' by Secret Garden

Whilst serving as a natural hub for centre-stage Italian and European talent, A.MA Records have also been responsible for putting together some projects of super group proportions.

Projects like 'OOPARTS' by Egidio Rondinone and 'Hammonday' by DIL Trio saw exciting roll calls of A.MA artists and affiliates delivering standout releases while donning their collective team cowl.

A.MA's latest presentation comes from the well-versed trio of Enrico Bracco, Francesco Poeti and Armando Sciommeri under the unifying - and compelling - guise of Secret Garden.

Initially delivering his inaugural release for the Italian label through his 'Flying in a Box' full-length in 2022, guitarist Enrico Bracco has long displayed a meticulous approach of presenting the concept of narrative and storytelling as an integral make-up of his music.  Through his range of past album releases and the scores and compositions he has helmed for his extensive film and theatre work, Bracco instinctively detects the long-form narrative that runs in conjunction between imagery and sound displaying a profound perception to his craft.  

Similarly, guitarist and bassist Francesco Poeti regards his music through a similar lens.  Through his custom-made instruments, his affection for improvisation and contemporary jazz and his extensive list of collaborations and ensembles - including his own Francesco Poeti Trio and work alongside Elena Paparusso, Fabio Accardi and Gabriele Coen Sextet - Poeti's progressive vision asserts his inclusion amongst the Secret Garden trio, which is rounded out by the contribution of drummer Armando Sciommeri.   

Another highly experienced and prominent name in Italian jazz, Sciommeri's credentials also run deep with work as part of Gererdo Bartoccini Quartet, Carlo Conti Trio and Silvia Bolognesi Living Quartet.  The trio's ties together run considerably further back than just the Secret Garden project with all three of its members having crossed musical pathways for years - both Sciommeri and Poeti having served as members of Orchestra Mediterranea while Bracco, guitar in hand, served as a member of Sciommeri's ensemble for his full-length 'You and the Night and the Music'.

For their first foray under the Secret Garden moniker, Bracco, Poeti and Sciommeri strike a wonderful balance throughout the album with gentle nudges at times towards elements more associated with each artist.  It's an album that is beautifully paced and elegantly performed with the scintillating 'Blue' serving as the album's definite highlight.  Displaying a wonderful slow-build, the six-minute wonder captures the essence of the trio's intention perfectly delivering a real gem for the project.

The album boasts a further treat with the inclusion of US saxophonist Matt Renzi on pieces that once again really help to accentuate those elements of a glorious New York aesthetic that is also so prevalent to the project.

What Enrico Bracco, Francesco Poeti and Armando Sciommeri have created in Secret Garden proves distinctly special.  For listeners, the more time spent wondering around the trio's carefully cultivated and affectionately maintained soundscape, the rewards will inevitably follow.  The album proves remarkably adept at slowly revealing elements of itself through repeated visits uncovering more of its nuanced beauty each time.