Artist: I Giganti Della Montagna
Title: Oi Dialogoi
Cat Number: SLAMCD555
Year released: 2015
Format: CD & all digital platforms
Barcode: 028386055525
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The experimental Italian jazz trio ‘I Giganti Della Montagna’, founded in 2012 by Sicilian saxophonist and composer Ferdinando D’Urso with pianist Lorenzo Paesani and cellist Federico Sconosciuto, first appeared on SLAM in 2013 with ‘L’Arsenale delle apparizioni’ (SLAMCD548).
Ferdinando D’Urso writes: “For this occasion, the trio has chosen to invite a very important guest: the multi-instrumentalist Stefano Maltese. The music played in this album is a sequence of short themes that space out extended improvised sections. It is an experiment of co-creation of the musical event in the structure of a dialogue. With this second CD, thanks to the advice given by Stefano Maltese, I Giganti della Montagna try again to obtain that perfect mix of Western Art Music and jazz improvisation that we could call – in Gunther Schuller’s words – ‘third stream’.”
Stefano Maltese: saxello, flute, bass clarinet
Ferdinando D’Urso: alto and baritone saxophone
Lorenzo Paesani: piano
Federico Sconosciuto: cello
“An interesting CD…The contrasts between the different horns are nice, especially between the saxello and baritone, and the alto and bass clarinet. Maltese gets a great big sound from his flute. Some of the highlights include the dot dot dot sounds of “Morse,” the great cello playing of Sconosciuto on “Versi,’”Otra,” and “Batter,” which features him in a nice duet with Paesani. And there is plenty of unison playing by the two horns with nice accompaniment by Paesani and Sconosciuto. And I really like “Walrus” which has a nice sense of fun. In short a really enjoyable record.” – Bernie Koenig, Cadence
“Stefano Maltese has at least a half dozen discs under his own name and has worked with Evan Parker and Keith Tippett. Each of these pieces is uniquely written and performed with odd harmonies for both reeds…and tells a story or sets a mysterious scene. Since there are five reeds used between Mr. Maltese and Mr. D’Urso, the varied combinations give each piece a different vibe or picture. This disc is unlike any else I’ve reviewed in a long while so I will have to give it more time to reveal its unique sound. – Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
“The saxes cry and moan both together and separately on “Di-versi” and the sighing “Divergenze” as Maltese’s flute floats over the rumbling piano on “La Oltra Desnuder.” Thoughtful sax and flute grace “Echi” and s Paesani’s piano scrambles on “Batter d’ali” and Sconosciuto’s cello creates a deep pulse on “W.W.” Serious sounds of improvisation.” – George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Recorded at Sonoria Studio Recordings, Scordia (Sicily, Italy) on October, 13th and 14th, 2013. Sound engineer Salvo Noto
Mixed and mastered by Stefano Maltese, Ferdinando D’Urso and Vincenzo Cavalli on December 28th 2013 and April 3rd 2014 at Sonoria Studio Recordings