This is the one to purchase if you decide to own one Urbani in your collection. Why? The quartet (Luigi Bonafede on piano; Furio Di Castri on bass; and Paolo Pellegatti on drums, with Urbani, of course, on alto sax) performs with uncommon synchronicity on a varied set. While the album is dedicated to Ayler and Coltrane, the music is anything but free-style, as might be implied. Instead, the wonderfully diverse pick of tunes (Coltrane's "Naima," Bird's "Scrapple form the Apple," Waldron's "Soul Eyes," Weill's "Speak Low," among three originals) is played with exquisite passion and precision. "Scrapple," where Urbani is backed only by acoustic bass, is a masterpiece, while "Soul Eyes" is blown with heart-rendering grace. Urbani's own "Dedications" burns, leaving behind little, if any, tread. Think of Urbani as a sort of super-Phil Woods and you might get the idea. Very cool. - Steve Loewy
Tracks
1. Dedications (M. Urbani)
2. Naima (J. Coltrane)
3. L'Amore (L. Bonafede)
4. Max's Mood (M. Urbani)
5. Scrapple From The Apple
6. Speak Low (K. Weill)
7. Soul Eyes (M. Waldron)
MASSIMO URBANI alto saxophone
FURIO DI CASTRI bass
PAOLO PELLEGATTI drums
LUIGI BONAFEDE piano
Recorded at Music Center, Bologna, Italy, June 10, 1980
Red Record - RR 123 160-2