CD – Far from our cities

Description

“From the very first notes of this album, the connection between the two musicians is evident. Angelo Gregorio and Paolo Loveri are seasoned jazzmen, but they are also perfectly comfortable exploring different musical styles. They are soloists who can take the lead with confidence and inspiration. Within the robust and refined framework of Paolo Loveri’s guitars, Angelo Gregorio’s contributions are both sensitive and resolute. These are two musicians who know how to listen to each other and build a high-quality dialogue, where energy alternates with more intimate moments. And Angelo’s Italian vocal interludes add a warm ray of sunshine to this captivating duo.” – Michel Herr, Belgian arranger & pianist

“The best things in life are free.” If this idea reflects reality, what could be better than two extraordinary musician friends coming together to create a joyful recording session where their past and present as improvising artists converge?

Once again, it is the logic of the song form and the depth of their interpretations that distinguish a fleeting encounter from a serious musical proposal.

The musicians offer original compositions arranged for the duo, sometimes enhanced by overdubbing to create a harmonic framework that serves as a substrate for Paolo Loveri’s solos. His distinct melodic sensibility shines in this new album, with his lyrical phrasing perfectly blending with the language of jazz guitar. As always, his comping is remarkable—precise and swinging, yet rich and atmospheric depending on the piece.

I have known Paolo and his exceptional quality for a long time. However, the true surprise for me was listening to this young saxophonist. Angelo Gregorio possesses remarkable musicality, a deep understanding of jazz language, and an impressive improvisational flair. Another delightful discovery was his moving vocal interpretations of classic Neapolitan repertoire, such as Regginella, and modern gems like Calise’s Na voce na chitarra and the late Pino Daniele’s Lazzari felici, which is on its way to becoming a modern “standard.”

Equally comfortable with the soprano saxophone, Angelo selects from Hank Mobley’s repertoire The Best Things in Life Are Free and offers a delightful rendition of Remember, both reimagined brilliantly by the duo.

Far from their homeland, these two musicians manage to convey the feeling, humanity, and culture of their roots through the language of jazz—universally regarded as one of the most global forms of communication. – Pietro Condorelli, italian jazz guitarist