Silvano Borzacchiello

Somethinglikea Trio with Tino Tracanna: Something more

Is a more straight-ahead affair, the encounter of Somethinglikea Trio with soprano saxophonist Tino Tracanna. The trio of pianist Alessandro Bianchi, bassist Santino Carcano, and drummer Silvano Borzacchiello achieves an exquisite balance of relaxation and tension in their interactions, resulting in a music that stimulates as it simmers. Carcano's "Missis PC", a cousin of Trane's "Mr. P.C.", kicks things off with a seven minute excursion that introduces the group with solos by a passionate Tracanna, soulful Bianchi and the jaunty and tasteful Carcano, plus an inventive Borzacchiello underneath it all. All three members of the trio contibute material, with an old standard ("For Heaven's Sake") and interpretations of three jazz classics rounding out the bill. Eddie Harris' classic "Freedom Jazz Dance" is given an atypically angular arrangement, relaxed and snaky, with the piano sneaking up on the melody and giving it a real bluesy tinge. Bianchi's ballad "Once there was time" inspires a fine solo by Tracanna, who emphasizes the plaintive quality of the writing without ever becoming shrill or nasal. A young drummer could learn a lot from listening to Borzacchiello closely throughout this disc; his dynamism and flow of ideas is exceptional. He never grandstands or calls much attention to himself, but his playing is critical to the success of this one. The CD goes out in fine style with a pair of Monk tunes played by the trio, a brisk rendition of "In Walked Bud" and a mellow stroll with "Ruby, My Dear". All in all, another keeper from the fertile Italian Jazz scene. Stuart Kremsky