Ferdinando Romano & Ralph Alessi - Totem

This is the first recording as leader by the Italian bassist Ferdinando Romano and brings together a septet that has the appearance of a 'classic' line-up from the early to mid-1960s.

Certainly, the opening track, 'Gecko', would confirm this expectation, with a gently undulating bass line and carefully placed piano chords behind Ralph Alessi's masterful trumpet playing merging to a combined horn / sax frontline. In this tune, the bass, with its simple but insistent line, carries the tune, allowing solos and ensemble playing to work the chords.

Often, the tunes begin with a simple motif, say on bass, which is gradually lost as the tune develops. This is a deliberate decision on Romano's part so that few of the tunes have a 'head' to which the band returns or an obvious verse-chorus-middle eight structure. As such, the tunes create their own atmosphere and internal logic in a manner which has more affinity to classical, composed music than jazz. Having said that, the rich notes of the bass and the elegant time-keeping of the drums remind you that you are listening to a well-drilled jazz band playing music with swing and verve. - Chris Baber - Jazz Views

Personnel: Ralph Alessi (trumpet), Tommaso Iacoviello (flugelhorn), Simone Alessandrini (alto saxophone, soprano saxophone), Nazareno Caputo (vibraphone, marimba), Manuel Magrini (piano), Ferdinando Romano (double bass), Giovanni Paolo Liguori (drums)