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Enrico Rava Quintet: Tribe
ByTrombonist Gianluca Petrellaa Rava old-handagain strikes up a relationship so wonderfully empathetic with the leader that the lines between counterpoint and unison playing blur. Repeatedly, they demonstrate an understanding on a par with that forged between Rava and longtime collaborator, pianist Stefano Bollani, and they create the heart of the recording. Rava has the knack too of lifting a stone and uncovering rare talent; pianist Andrea Pozza made the piano chair his own on The Words and the Days (ECM, 2007) following Bollani's departure and similarly, pianist Giovanni Guidi weaves a potent spell here.
Though lighter in touch, sparer, and less unpredictable than Bollani, Guidi playsto borrow from the title of Rava's book Note necessaire (Minimum Fax , 2004)the necessary notes, exemplified by his hypnotic play on the dream-like "Paris Baguette," where right and left hands meet seamlessly. On the piano trio piece, "Garbage Can Blues," his Mediterranean-tinged minimalism creates a restful, still-life portrait reverie.
Seemingly simple in construction, there's tremendous breadth and depth to the music and repeated listening unravels the layers. The nostalgic, slowly meandering melody of "Amnesia," carried by Rava and shadowed by Petrella, features busily chattering, yet unobtrusive drumming from Fabrizio Sferra and, at the death, ghostly whispers from guitarist Giaccomo Ancillotto. Like the fainter hues of a rainbow, Ancillotto's shimmering intervention on "F. Express" lends contrasting texture and helps define the stronger colors of a plaintiff-sounding Rava and crisply elegant Guiddi. On this track, and throughout, bassist Gabriele Evangelista provides an explorative, lyrical pulse. His comping is really quietly voiced soloing, fully revealed (though briefly) on the extended "Incognito."
The dramatic "Choctaw"spurred by Sferra's cymbals and Guiddi's repetitive, Nik Bärtsch-like riff sees Rava and Petrella alternate between noirish ambience and bolder soloing. Rava's revisited "Cornettology" begins at the same trotthough bop-flavoredbefore sliding into a freer, arrhythmic field. Slower fare like the gently melancholic "Tears for Neda," the pastoral "Song Tree" and the percussively lively "Planet Earth" showcase Rava's almost unmatched melodic sensibility and emotive depth. Rava and Petrella flirt and dance with each other on the hummable title track, and "Improvisation" rounds off an outstanding set of compositions in slumbering, fitful mood.
Tribe reveals a Rava who is still searching, still challenging his creative possibilities and, as ever, those around him. On trumpet, Rava has never sounded better or more focused. The scintillating playing from the new blood also confirms that change for Rava is indeed, as good as a rest. There's plenty of creative juice left in Rava's tank.
Track Listing
Amnesia; Garbage Can Blues; Choctaw; Incognito; Cornettology; F. Express; Tears for Neda; Song Tree; Paris Baguette; Planet Earth; Tribe; Improvisation.
Personnel
Enrico Rava
trumpetEnrico Rava: trumpet; Gianluca Petrella: trombone; Giovanni Guidi: piano; Gabriele Evangelista: double bass; Fabrizio Sferra: drums; Giacomo Ancillotto: guitar (1, 6-8).
Album information
Title: Tribe | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: ECM Records