Review of Gian Tornatore:" La Copa Del Mondo" from the CD Fall"

Artist: Gian Tornatore

Track: La Copa Del Mondo

CD: Fall (Sound Spiral SS1301)

Musicians: Gian Tornatore (Tenor and Soprano Saxophones); Nate Rdiley (Guitar);
Jon Anderson (piano); Thomson Kneeland (Bass); Jordan Perlson (drums).

Recorded: July 10th & 11th 2007 Acoustic Recording, Brooklyn, NY

Composer: Gian Tornatore


The circularly repeated theme of “La Copa del Mondo” draws you in by the virtue of its tension building nature. Anderson and Tornatore are particularly in sync with each other throughout their juxtaposed playing. Saxophonist and composer Tornatore has penned an interesting piece of music that builds up an almost frenetic anxiousness without veering into reckless abandon. Guitarist Radley floats on top of the rhythm of the ceaseless energy of Perlson’s drums, Kneeland’s bass and Anderson’s piano in a facile demonstration of lyrical fluidity. Tornatore’s tenor is wispy and spirited as he negotiates liquid lines of purposeful notes his solo. Despite the feeling of tension the song purposefully elicits it never veers off track and is skillfully navigated by Tornatore’s confidant delivery, with his astute use of space between notes. A nice syncopated tom solo by Perlson accentuates this textural piece just prior to the coda.

Review of Daniella Schacter's "The Peacocks" from Purple Butterfly

Artist: Daniela Schächter

Track: The Peacocks

CD: Purple Buttterfly

Musicians: Daniela Schächter ((vocals, piano); Alex Spiagin (trumpet & flugelhorn); Joel Frahm (tenor saxophone); Massimo Biolcati (acoustic bass); Quincy Davis(drums).


Recorded: June 22, 2008 Michael Brorby Studio, New York


Composer : Jimmy Rowles and N. Wintone


Pianist and vocalist Daniela Schächter has a hauntingly beautiful and magnetic voice. It is clear, accurate and can at times be deliberately stylized to a monotone. Her unique interpretation of what notes to use where is disarming and so you are magnetically drawn to listen, pulled by the idea of not knowing where she will take you next. With some fine performances throughout the album by Alex Sipiagin on flugelhorn and Joel Frahm on saxophone, Schächter’s voice is nevertheless most beguiling when accompanied in the trio format. On Jimmy Rowles beautiful “The Peacocks”, skillfully accompanied by Massimo Biolcati on bass and Quincy Davis on drums along with her own piano, her interpretive skills shine. She has great control of her voice and when she ventures up some apparently skeptical, vocally dark alleys that stray from the expected she somehow manages to skillfully emerge to the daylight undaunted. You become a convert; a believer that she was always knew she was heading in the right direction, even if you weren’t so sure. A talented, stylized vocalist that shows us there is always another way to sing a great song.

Ralph A. Miriello