Drummer/composers are a relatively rare breed in jazz, but Aldo Romano is one of the most gifted on the scene. With a baker's dozen musicians (including himself) and thoughtful arrangements by Lionel Belmondo, Romano creates a powerful sound with reeds, brass, and rhythm section, often emphasizing the ensemble more so than than soloists, starting with the lovely bittersweet "Silenzio," which sounds like it could have been written for a film soundtrack. Trumpeter Stefane Belmondo and pianist Eric Legnini are showcased in the driving bossa nova "Pasolini." The elegant, lyrical waltz "For Michel" and the graceful "Touch of a Woman" (the latter with Belmondo on flügelhorn) are also obvious highlights. Romano plays guitar, sings, and co-composed an Italian lyric with Yves Simon for his upbeat "Jazz Messengers." This is yet another rewarding date by Aldo Romano. - Ken Dryden
Tracks
01. Silenzio (7:01)
02. Pasolini (5:18)
03. Il Camino Part 1 (0:49)
04. Il Camino Part 2 (1:34)
05. Gamelan (10:15)
06. Touch Of A Woman (4:57)
07. Elis (2:14)
08. Celestina (3:20)
09. Dreams And Waters (5:21)
10. Starless Night (3:43)
11. For Michel (7:21)
12. Il Camino Part 3 (2:01)
13. Jazz Messengers (2:59)
GÉRALDINE LAURENT alto saxophone
CÉLINE HARDOUIN bossoon
JÉRÔME VOISIN clarinet, bass clarinet
THOMAS BRAMERIE double bass
ALDO ROMANO drums, guitar, vocals (13)
BERNARD BURGUN English horn
PHILIPPE GAUTHIER flue, G flute
FRANÇOIS CHRISTIN french horn
XAVIER DESANDRE-NAVARRE percussion
ERIC LEGNINI piano
LIONEL BELMONDO soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, G flute, wood flute
STÉPHANE BELMONDO trumpet, flugelhorn, shell
BASTIEN STILL tuba
All music composed by Aldo Romano
Recorded on June 30, July 1 & 2, 2009 at Studios Ferber
Dreyfus Jazz – FDM 46050 369472