Nugara Trio: The Last Question

The Last Question is the second album from Nugara, an Italian band comprising pianist Francesco Negri, bassist Viden Spassov and drummer Francesco V. Parsi. Conceived as a concept album, the title is drawn from an Isaac Asimov short story exploring the ultimate fate of the universe. This narrative forms the framework uniting the album's nine compositions. While such subject matter might suggest a synthesizer-heavy fusion album brimming with robotic sounds, the reality is far more organic: this is simply a terrific piano trio release, with a twist.

That twist is the addition of the outstanding trumpeter Giovanni Falzone on four tracks; his creativity blends seamlessly into the project, adding color and extending Nugara's soundscape. Falzone makes his first appearance on "String Theory," playing with assurance and a hint of flamboyance as he weaves through the main theme before Negri's incisive solo. Falzone's improvisation steers the piece into darker territory, the rhythmic structure loosening as the tension builds.

On "Flame of Discovery," a lyrical trumpet melody leads into Spassov's bass solo and Negri's exploration on piano. The track then gradually gathers pace and expands as Falzone's trumpet lifts off, soaring above the piano's drive as the rhythm takes on a vibrant Latin feel to round off a sparkling track. The reflective ballad, "Here We Are," provides contrast to the drama, with Spassov and Parsi providing an understated foundation for the delicate interplay between trumpet and piano.

Taking inspiration from Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics (a set of fictional ethical guidelines for robots), "Three Laws" is an interplay of complex rhythms, pulsing piano and lyrical bass that come together in another rewarding track, while "Eyes Do More Than See" is more delicate, with gentle piano layered over brushwork and an excellent arco bass solo from the impressive Spassov.

Catchy piano melodies fracture and reform in "Nebula." Spassov and Parsi's fast improvisational sequence impresses as the trio shows a masterful balance of improvisation and structure. The trio stays with the science fiction theme, even as they pay homage to New Orleans and the jazz masters of the past, in "The Time Traveler." Introduced by bending bass strings, the piece is bright and uplifting with another memorable piano melody as the trio's quick-witted approach skillfully avoids pastiche.

The album closes cyclically with "Let There Be Light," echoing the final words of Asimov's story. Negri runs a repeating piano ostinato with Spassov's bass solo layered on top; Parsi's cymbals are followed by the return of Falzone's muted trumpet to beautifully complete the narrative arc of the album.

Each member of the trio brings an equal voice to the album's complex, melodic flow. The compositions are consistently strong, so strong that picking highlights is a fool's errand. Each melody feels fluent and memorable and the music's inclusive spirit draws the listener in with its blend of warm tonal colors, punchy rhythmic statements and tight ensemble interplay that shifts between passionate intensity and gentle reflection. Asimov's tale forms the framework that unites the project, inspiring the trio as they tap into and fully realize their collective potential.

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