Fabrizio Sotti: Right Now

Right Now consolidates the many different threads that Italian songwriter, guitarist and producer Fabrizio Sotti has explored in his career and weaves them all into a singular, beautiful tapestry. Serving as arranger and producer, he divides Right Now into an even mix of jazzy, reflective originals and soft jazz reflections of songs by Bob Marley, U2 and Jimi Hendrix sung by an international vocal cast. Sotti's supple nylon, classical, acoustic and electric guitars are expertly caressed by bassist Tony Grey and multi-instrumentalist Mino Cinelu, who also steps up to the microphone on "Paradis."

Right Now is the complete opposite of bombastic, but its resounding brilliance rings quite loudly. In "One" (U2), the sharp if not acrid edge of Isabella Lundgren's voice combines with her languid phrasing to legitimately suggest Billie Holiday, as Sotti's soft, liquid guitar adorns her sound in jazz and blues. In addition, Zucchero gives sadly beautiful voice to Bono's lyric for "Someone Else's Tears." This genuine and profound reminder of all the terrible beauty and glorious pain in creation may be a difficult song for your ears to leave behind. "In Europe, Zucchero is like Bruce Springsteen," Sotti explains. "The duet he did with Miles, 'Dune Mosse,' blew me away. Seeing an Italian singer with my jazz idol always stayed on my mind. I reached out to Zucchero when I was doing this album and he suggested we do 'Someone Else's Tears.' It was a huge honor to say the least."

Rappers Shaggy and Res rough up "Waiting in Vain" (Bob Marley), and Shaggy's gruff voice provides a great contrasting texture against Sotti's elegant guitar, sandpaper tearing against satin, especially his mid-song toast. (The digital version of Right Now includes the bonus cut "The Wall" featuring Res, Ice-T and M-1.)

Sotti and Cinelu collaborate on "Paradis," with Cinelu's French vocal hovering over the drums and Sotti's jazz guitar as gently as a spring rainshower. Sotti's acoustic guitar and Cinelu's whispering brushes melt into pools of soft rhythm behind Claudia Acuña in "Fidjo Maguado": Cinelu's drums are as tastefully wonderful—in every way—as Dom Um Romao's legendary, impeccable performance on Francis Albert Sinatra / Antonio Carlos Jobim.

The closing title track is precisely the perfect way to end a beautiful release like this—two flickering minutes of reflective solo acoustic guitar (with no words) that sings both welcome and farewell. "I want people to immerse themselves in a peaceful journey when they hear this album and try to enjoy living in the moment," Sotti suggests. "I'm hoping everyone can join me there Right Now."