Featuring Gianluca Petrella on trombone, Javier Girotto baritone saxophone, quena & soprano sax, Paul Rogers on 5-string double bass and Francesco Sotgiu drums. Outstanding! Considering that this is the debut disc from the Auand label and that we’ve only heard of one member of this Italian quartet previously, (British) bass master Paul Rogers, it is certainly a surprise that this disc is one of the best little known gems that we have encountered in quite a while. It turns out that the leader, trombonist Gianluca Petrella, has since signed to Blue Note and has two fine discs out that garnered little of no attention.
‘X-Ray’ blasts open with a most impressive burning tune called “Broken Head,” the rhythm team exploding powerfully right from the first note. Petrella takes the first of many amazing trombone solos here. The title track features some tantalizing harmonies for the trombone and bari sax with more of that most impressive bass and drum work. That barely contained excitement factor reminds me of the undeniable energy found in the classic ‘Dedicated to You, But You Weren’t Listening’ album by the Keith Tippett Group! Three members of this quartet contribute all of the material here and each piece is a standout in one way or another. Javier’s “G8″ features some tight complex bari sax and trombone interplay while Paul’s “Femtosecond” is a slow, mysterious work for poignant bari sax and a most enchanting melody overall. It almost sounds as if they are about to break into “Silent Night,” but perhaps this is just wishful thinking as the dog days of summer approach. “Crunch,” also by Paul, contains some immensely propulsive bass and drums underneath an incredible chorus of bari sax and bone blasting bravado! One of the great things about this disc is how well it is recorded, the powerful and resourceful rhythm team is immense and vibrant throughout, cushioning and pushing the trombone and saxes into turbulent yet tight territories time and again. Another interesting point is that there are a few superb ballad-like pieces on the second half of this disc and each one is a gem. The final piece, “Araucanos,” features Javier on flute (or quena) & soprano sax and is a most haunting piece with a solemn melody that you will not forget for a long time to come. When I played this disc for my friends on our way to the Victo Fest, each one was knocked out by this magic music. Now it is your time to reap the rich rewards of Gianluca Petrella’s ‘X-Ray’.
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