Actis Band: Garibaldi (2003)

Glenn Astarita

Senior Contributor since 1997

Longtime contributor to AAJ and Downbeat, Jazz Review, EjazzNews, Radio DirectX.

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Published: April 18, 2003

Tenor saxophonist Carlo Actis Dato pokes a little good-natured fun at the father of Italy’s modern era, Guiseppe Garibaldi, via the cover art - featuring the band dressed in period garb marching to victory. On the flip side, the saxophonist steers this quintet through some of the hardest hitting modern jazz tinged rock you’ll likely hear. Perhaps Dato’s mindset was to emulate some of Italy’s fiercest military battles via music as they intertwine bubbly Mediterranean themes with wacko electric guitar lines and various, pulsating time signatures. They pronounce triumphant choruses on “Viva Zapata” amid progressive-rock musings and breezy soloing. They stomp and grind by way of pumping 4/4 beats on “Porci Padani coinciding with a few unexpected shifts in direction.

Dato and his counterpart, saxophonist Massimo Rossi, generally soar skyward throughout, and guitarist Antonio Fontana turns up the heat when the occasion arises. In addition, Fontana strums some pleasant surf guitar licks on “Dulcinea.” No doubt, this is hard hitting stuff from beginning to end. Another strong outing by one of Italy’s modern jazz visionaries who simply refuses to rest on his laurels. Recommended...

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Track Listing: 1.Vulcano Boro 2.Oued 3.Viva Zapata 4.Miso Soup 5.Porci Padani 6.Dulcinea 7.Makeba 8.Agdz 9.Taihenda 10.Polpi d

Personnel: Carlo Actis Dato: tenor & baritone sax, bass clarinet

Record Label: Leo Records
Style: Modern Jazz