Fabio Martini-Circadiana: Clangori

“Clangori” represents composer and clarinetist Fabio Martini’s ambitious project consisting of fellow Italian musicians who emanate from diverse musical genres. “Circadiana” is the name of the band assembled for this effort. The theme here is Martini’s concept of structure augmented by assigning instructions to the musicians. The results are interesting and for the most part, entertaining. The first track “In-setti” contains spurious and incidental dialogue among the band members. The instruments are the voices that insinuate communication and dialogue. As matters progress the sensation or imagery of a roundtable discussion comes to mind. The musical inferences are often subtle yet seldom complacent. Swirling odd meter percussion, accordions, clarinets and guitars don’t clash but synchronize in surprising fashion. “Oster 28” commences with soft percussion statements and develops into a series of microtonal passages enhanced by moody yet subtle arrangements. “Hoo Doo” is somewhat ethereal and ambient. Sublime and delicate, this cut seems intricate or perhaps fragile by design. On “Clangori” vivid and lucid imagery extends free improvisation to another level of comprehension . Most, if not all of these cuts are appealing and each instrument stands out as a contributing force. Fabio Martini lessens the cerebral aspects of free-improvised music a notch or two by producing music that is often light-hearted and amusing. All of these fine musician’s execute in commendable fashion while Martini is the magician creating illusions and altering perceptions of the mind’s eye. A pleasurable experience indeed.