Pietro Condorelli: Quasimodo

Some music sounds absolutely effortless. Quasimodo is a collection of such music. The opener "No Blues" sounds as if the musicians picked up their instruments and began playing in mid-thought—all of them having the same thought at the same time. Pietro Condorelli's guitar style is slick and fluid and his empathic communication with his bandmates, most particularly pianist Francesco Nastro is uncanny. Condorelli is ornate and decorated in his presentation, choosing complex and bright solo lines that are intelligent as they are showy. He is perfectly foiled by the ultrafluid and melodic Fabrizio Bosso, flying over the extra virgin Italian rhythm section.

The disc is comprised of eight originals and Charlie Parker's "Quasimodo". The aforementioned mixed-time "No Blues" gives Condorelli and Bosso a wide open space to explore. Nastro provides an antimatter monk spin to his solo, making it suitable off key, without spinning out of control. "Evening Prayer" is a Joe Pass meets Jim Hall ballad. But this is just what is typical of this disc. It is refined playing that explores the outer edges of the mainstream without trying to capture new territory. This disc will appeal to guitar jazz and general jazz fans alike. I provides delights for all concerned.