Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Enten Eller: Pietas
Enten Eller: Pietas
ByThe quartet has expanded occasionally with the invitations to distinguished players such as Tim Berne heard on Melquiades (Splasc(h), 20010) and Auto Da Fé (Splasc(h), 2001). They even formed the Enten Eller Orkestra with a 15-piece string section, harp, voice and guest saxophonist Carlo Actis Dato and trombonist Giancarlo Schiaffini for a grand performance documented on E(X)STINZIONE (Splasc(h), 2012).
This edition, Pietas (or Piety) is a live date from March 2014 and includes saxophonist/flutist Javier Girotto, who was also heard on Ecuba (Splasc(h), 2010).
It is a tribute to the quartet that they create seamless performances even with a guest artist. The music here draws from their varied interests. The opener, "L'abbandono" is a chamber jazz piece that grows organically from the first notes of Girotto's soprano saxophone and is wrapped into trumpet, bowed bass, then drums and guitar. The music is alternately beautiful and vulnerable. They sift to a sort of rocked-out improvisation on "Stinko Tango" complete with their seismic activity time shifts and Girotto drops samples of Jimmy Rowles' "The Peacocks." This varied program includes the "Ode To Morton Feldman" and their signature piece "Pragma." Pietas may be Enten Eller's finest recording.
Track Listing
L'Abbandono; Ode to Morton Feldman; Indaco; Sidera Maris; Pietas; Stinko Tango; Pragma.
Personnel
Alberto Mandarini: tromba, flicorno; Maurizio Brunod: chitarra elettrica, loop; Giovanni Maier: contrabbasso; Massimo Barbiero: batteria e percussioni; Javier Girotto: sassofono soprano, flauto.
Album information
Title: Pietas | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Splasc(H) Records