Marco Bolfelli Trio: Streamflow

Streamflow is a very strong debut recording from guitarist Marco Bolfelli and his almost telepathic trio partners Simone Serafini on bass and Igor Checchini on drums. Reedman Klaus Gesing (bass clarinet and soprano sax), one of Bolfelli's mentors, appears on four of the eleven tracks.

Bolfelli gets composer credits as well for all tracks except "Finisterre," which is an wonderful overdubbed improvisation by Gesing. His music has soft edges even when his guitar sound enters the overdriven zone. The harmonies he chooses are lush and his melodic lines tend to spin out and spill over the bar lines with odd length phrases.

Very facile technically, Bolfelli can concentrate on building a solo, and uses space very intelligently, which helps the ear follow the melodic flow.

While all of the tracks are attractive in one way or another, Gesing's presence and energy on "Nekar" and "Atlantica" makes these tracks standouts. The former begins with mysterious ambiance surrounding the theme, and then evolving into a hot section with strong interplay and give-and-take between guitar and reed. The latter also begins softly, with solo guitar, but then moves into a driving section featuring some amazing unison playing of Gesing and Bolfelli.

Soundstream is a very rewarding listening experience as Bolfelli demonstrates a wide emotional range combined with the musical instincts of a mature musician.