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Luca Aquino: Lunaria 2
ByThe elegaic "Amman" sets the textural tone for what is to follow. The energetic "Cip e Ciop" is a brisk, multi-tempo, dramatic groover with Aquino blowing exotic scalar material over a repetitive bass and electric platform. This is the type of material that visionary Don Ellis might deliver if he were still with us. "Anita Dance" has Aquino Harmon-muted, swaying over a calypso bed. The tone shifts darker with "Killing Me," a slow, melancholic track with Aquino ending on a positive, redemptive note.
"Carnera" is the simplest of melodies. Lullaby-like, the tune belies the deep sentiments of Aquino's lush horn. "Halfouine," (a neighbourhood in Tunis in North Africa) is a Giovanni Francesca guitar feature dancing over Marco Bardoscia's repetitive bass. "X" is an exotic call and has Aquino altering his sounds to imitate more Middle Eastern instruments via quarter-tones, echo and other techniques. Aquino's horn is restrained, expressive and displays a seductive vulnerability. His penchant for brilliantly-played ornamentation sets him apart from other players. Francesca, Bardoscia and drummer/electronicist Gianluca Brugnano deliver outstanding performances throughout.
"Ali Raksat" melds a lovely melody with exotic ornamentation and amplified guitar. This is a lovely track. "Nicolino Locche," an upbeat samba, has Aquino's horn flitting and floating over the driving, vamp before developing into a free-form flight. A fun and absorbing track. "Nature Boy" is a Harmon-muted solo statement. "Can't Help Falling in Love," a rock classic, is taken straight by Aquino with appropriate reverb-guitar over a tom-tom pattern. "Ironic" has shades of late Miles Davis (as in "Time After Time") with Aquino muted. "Alfonsina Y El Mar" closes the session with Aquino's open horn slow and sentimental, in a last dance with Brugnano's bass. Lunaria 2 is another of Aquino's brilliant offerings. He continues to add to his reputation as a visionary worthy of acknowledgement, study and wider recognition.
Track Listing
Amman, Cip e Ciop, Anita Dance, Killing Me, Carnera, Halfaouine, X, Ali Raksat, Nicolino Locche, Nature Boy, Can't Help Falling in Love, Y Superhot, Ironic, Tag's Smile, Alfonsina y El Mar,
Personnel
Luca Aquino
trumpetGiovanni Francesca
guitar, electricMarco Bardoscia
bass, electricGianluca Brugnano
drumsAlbum information
Title: Lunaria 2 | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Parco Della Musica
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