Customer Reviews

Easy Living

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Lion of Trieste performs in his first ECM release in 30 years and he doesn't disappoint. If you dug his duets with Stefano Bollani in Montreal a few years back, you'll love this recording. A European sensibility with great jazz players.
Rava's sound is even warmer than usual -- almost like a flugelhorn. His lines are fluid and his sense of space is Milesian. A great introduction to Rava -- be sure to check out his releases on Label Bleu and Philogy.

. . . lending it an uncommon warmth and attraction, startlingly caught in the golden hues of the sunset- (or sunrise)- toned jewel-case sleeve and echoed in the title of this altogether wonderful recording. Sounding a good deal like the great Scandinavian trumpeter, Palle Mikkelborg, with that same burnished tone, forthright attack, and ravishing melodicism, Enrico Rava has come up with a very fine disc, certainly one of the best if not the very best in his long and distinguished career. The band, comprising all Italian players, is very strong. With the great Roberto Gatto on drums, things can hardly go wrong. Stefano Bollani in the piano chair seems a perfect match for Rava's lyricism, but he also brings sufficient muscle to prevent the proceedings from slouching into unbridled romanticism. The other two players, Rosario Bonaccorso (double-bass) and Gianluca Petrella (trombone) are new to me. The latter, relegated somewhat to the background, consistently comes up with apposite harmonic approaches that both feed off and anchor the leader's trumpet lines. The somewhat unusual trumpet/trombone configuration makes for a very polished front line that consistently delivers beautiful and occasionally ravishing moments.

The compositions, most of which are ballads, and all of which are by Rava, save the title cut, are entirely in keeping with the relaxed though focused vibe of the titling and packaging of the disc, as well as the general approach of the band. One could almost be lulled to sleep by these tunes except there is too much rigor and interest in them.

Should appeal to all those who've fallen in love with Changing Places by Tord Gustavsen, Universal Syncopations by Miroslav Vitous, and Close to My Heart by Jeremy Pelt. Will likely end up on my best of the year list.

i was digging through the used bin saw this cd and was very curoius.wasnt dissapointed either.manfred eicher always produces excellent stuff,this reminds me of kenny wheeler,with a pinch of stanko.very pleased with the quality line up of musicians.impressive!

Veteran trumpeter Enrico Rava leads a quintet with Gianluca Petrella on trombone, Stefano Bollani on piano, Rosario Bonaccorso on bass, and Roberto Gatto on drums. The combination of trumpet and trombone is somewhat unusual in a jazz quintet, but it works well here. The music is for the most part reflective and lyrical, relaxing but not at all soporific. It can serve as nice background music for a quiet evening, but if you turn it up and actually listen to it, you will find plenty to capture your imagination.

The third cut, "Sand," is especially interesting, seeming to be Rava's spin on the jazz chestnut "Caravan." The music just seems to lift the listener to exotic places with hypnotic phrasing and allusions to mystery and fascination.

For those who enjoy their jazz straight, with no electronics, hip-hop, or other distractions, but who also want something a bit exotic in its own way, this is an excellent recording that serves as reminder how powerful restrained, disciplined musicianship can sound. Tasty, tasty stuff indeed.

Simply a masterpiece. There's no other way to tell it. The Rava Quintet is at its highest here, dealing with a bunch of originals (bar one), which can be easily recognized as setting the pace in European jazz for the years to come.

Rava is as staggering as only the greatest trumpeters can be; like the finest wines, he gets better as he gets older. Petrella on trombone is a wondrous achievement (but hear him on "Indigo 4", Blue Note Records); Bollani on piano, well..., is Bollani on piano (and here it comes his "Piano Solo", Ecm Records); Bonaccorso and Gatto are solid as a rock and do much more than simply keep the rhythm.

Be careful: despite the title, this "Easy Living" is no easy music. This kind of jazz is intriguing but subtle, precise but slow to show up, marvellous but demanding.

There's only one thing you need to do: just listen to it

Stefano Bollani deserved to be on the cover in lieu of Rava. There are hundreds of trumpet players that sound identical to Rava. Go for the real thing and go after some old Miles. This album is worth 4 stars for the piano alone.