Stunning
Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 05/26/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Yeah, the price is a little steep.But you know what? There's not really anything like it out there (except even more hard-to-find Foricione discs). Since Forcione's a southern European, one might think flamenco or perhaps Gypsy.Nope.He's from Italy, and he's fashioned his own peculiar kind of world-jazz. Yes, it partakes of a wide range of Mediterranean influences, including flamenco, tango, Arabian, and Gypsy; but it really represents a style all his own, forged, one supposes, out of long hours of woodshedding.In any case, he's created a very attractive nuevo accoustic jazz/world vibe. Basically a trio, featuring leader Forcione on various acoustic guitars, Trilok Gurtu or Bosco de Oliveira on drums and percussion, and Kai Eckhardt de Camargo on Jaco-sounding e-bass, the disc is augmented by a wide range of guests playing everything from alto or soprano sax, to synth, vibratone(?), voice, synth horn, and tablas.The aural palette takes on a very attractive and at times absolutely mesmerizing signature, my favorite cut being "Indian Cafe," with its exotic sensibility and sub-continent vibe. But there's really not a weak cut anywhere. Other favorites include "Horserun," a driving, galloping number featuring some of Forcione's finest playing; "Alhambra," with that haunting Southern Spain sensibility and the mysterioso vocals of Sonal Varsoni; "Night Passage," with its Mid-East feel, glorious oud-like guitar, and the mesmeric saz-like sax of Roberto Manzin.I'm always on the lookout for gorgeous world-jazz, and this certainly strikes all the right chords.Not to be missed by anyone even slightly taken by glorious jazz-beat music."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1