Andrea Tofanelli & The Trumpet Show Band: Vulcano

In the Tyrrhenian Sea, just north of Sicily sits the tiny island of Vulcano, the mythological chimney of the Roman god of fire, Vulcan. While Italian trumpeter, Andrea Tofanelli may or may not be paying pay tribute to Vulcan or his eponymous isle, with Vulcano he's gathered some of Italy's top players to deliver 10 explosive tracks of screaming trumpet, killer ensemble, and A-1 solo playing.

"Adagio," taken from the Luis Bacalov-composed and the New Trolls-performed "Concerto Grosso," opens the session with serene trumpet and harpsichord. The Queen-flavored track builds elegantly to a climax with Tofanelli's horn screaming. "Baby Boom," one of two Tofanelli compositions, is a shuffling hooker with Herb Alpert/Tijuana Brass overtones. A plungered Tofanelli lays hot lines in front of the ensemble and Tommaso Sgammini piano solos briefly before a hip modulation. There's even a band scat vocal before Tofa caps things off altissimo style. The Rockets' "Rocket Rapsody," presented here as "Rockets' Brass Rapsody," opens the gates with an electrifying pulsing bass under screaming car-chase horns. On this, Diego Donati's guitar and Tofanelli's horn duel vigorously.

Tofanelli, well known around the world as a player of significant high-note and brilliant-toned skill, continues that description here. The arrangements by Michele Samory are outstanding and feed fuel to the fire. The outstanding rhythm section drives the session brilliantly. The entire production is an "experience" more than anything. Most tracks are fiercely up-tempo and display superior musicianship.

Chick Corea's classic, "Spain" commences with a slower bolero introduction before exploring the tune as best known. There's a fine trombone solo by Massimo Morganti before Tofanelli solos. A neat stop-time interlude fills and Tommaso Sgammini adds "Chick-lets" and the ensemble's fireworks close. "Little Song" has a happy 1980s catchy melody over a disco/hustle groove. "Song for Polina" has Tofa stating the lyrical melody over synth organ. It's lovely statement offering a serenade and is an endearing track. "Cops, Crimes and Chases" are two separate medleys of classic TV police/crime shows of the 1970s and 80s. The energy of the ensemble is pure Hollywood TV. "Masters of Trumpet," a truly uniquely constructed medley, interplays recognizable Freddie Hubbard, Miles Davis, and Kenny Dorham tunes with traditional trumpet studies that use the exact same harmonic progressions. The ensemble's vocal "coda" hilariously brings this jocularity and session to a close.

Vulcano, like the wonders of nature, needs to be witnessed. With this exciting album, Andrea Tofanelli and his crew deliver marvels of musical majesty.

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