Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Piero Umiliani: To-Day's Sound

204

Piero Umiliani: To-Day's Sound

By

Sign in to view read count
Piero Umiliani: To-Day's Sound
Piero Umiliani scored over 60 films in his native Italy between 1958 and 1981. And it's no secret that Italian films, even as derivative and as unfamiliar as they are to most Americans, are a treasure trove of excellent artistry. The recent "now-sound" craze is finally affording Italian film composers like Umiliani their due.

This 1971 double-album-on-one-CD is a prize. It's an instrumental program, similar to the kind Henry Mancini used to release between films. But this one is tougher, filled with clever electric themes, gritty car-chase funk and superb playing by many of Italy's best jazz artists (including the vastly under-appreciated pianist Franco D'Andrea). American cop shows like "Streets of San Francisco" and "Starsky and Hutch" weren't even playing this kind of music until the mid 70s. But here Umiliani, who has clearly studied his Mancini and Lalo Schifrin, stakes his claim.

Highlights are so plentiful over these 76 minutes, it would be easier to list the duds. But even then, it's worth tuning in for creative jazz explorations and other wild surprises. The entrancing, moody funks of "Lady Magnolia," "Music on the Road" and "Tropical River," are this listener's favorites, though. Umiliani composed all 21 tracks and is heard on moog, Fender Rhodes and marimba. Sometimes he's out front, but other electric keyboards, guitars and a bevy of percussion keep that groove percolating. Easy Tempo (Right Tempo), the Italian company that's at the forefront of making so much of this great 70s "now-sound" music available on CD, also features Umiliani's best moments on their five excellent, highly-recommended Easy Tempo collections. True believers, however, can proceed right to Umiliani's recently issued soundtracks, also on Easy Tempo: Angeli Bianchi...Angeli Neri and Sweden – Heaven & Hell. To-Day's Sound is a winner.

Tracks:Open Space; Green Valley; Caretera Panamericana; Goodmorning Sun; To-Day's Sound; Free Dimension; Truck Driver; Blue Lagoon; Wanderer; Lady Magnolia; Pretty; Railroad; Country Town; Bus Stop; Cotton Road; Nocturne; Exploration; Tropical River; Coast to Coast; Safari Club; Music On The Road.

Personnel

Piero Umiliani: moog, Fender Rhodes, Mexican marimba; Marcello Boschi: flute; Mario Midana, Dino Piana, Biagio Marullo: trombone; Oscar Valdambrini, Al Corvin, Marino Di Fulvio: trumpet; Antonello Vannucchi: Hammond organ; Franco D'Andrea: piano, clavichord; Carlo Zoffoli: marimba, vibraphone; Sergio Carnini: Lowery organ; Silvano Carnini, Sergio Coppotelli: guitar; Maurizio Majorana: bass; Giovanni Tommaso: doulbe bass; Enzo Restuccia, Gege Munari: drums, percussion; Cico Ciro: percussion.

Album information

Title: To-Day's Sound | Year Released: 1998 | Record Label: Easy Tempo

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.