Antonello Losacco: Worlds Beyond

Jazz albums featuring the seven-string electric bass are fairly unusual. Antonello Losacco makes a strong case that this situation should change, by making full use of the wide harmonic and melodic possibilities of the instrument on his album, Worlds Beyond . He was a co-designer of the bass he uses, having undertaken technical research into the pitch, tone and sound that can be created.

Losacco has explored and collaborated on numerous musical projects and in a variety of formats. He has collaborated with artists of the calibre of Bobby Watson, Keith Tippett and Sarah Jane Morris. This album follows on from his previous album as leader, Respira (GleAM, 2022). His basic trio consists of vibraphonist Vitantonio Gasparro and drummer Vito Tenzone. Additional textures are provided by Roberto Ottaviano, who plays soprano saxophone on three tracks, and Badrya Razem who provides wordless vocals on "Clouds And Trees." Eight of the nine tracks were composed by Losacco.

The album opens with "Here and Now," with bass and vibraphone weaving together as Ottaviano's soprano saxophone sets up the melody. It is a neatly worked track with good use of space and timing. The summery "Guarda Lontano" follows. Losacco's impressive bass playing is to the fore, making full use of those seven strings. There is a hint of regret in the gentle "Devo Andare," Gasparro playing with a high degree of subtlety.

"I Tuoi Occhi," originally presented in a different format on Respira, gently builds with a bass riff underpinned by the vibraphone. The tempo increases, featuring fine interplay from the trio, to add textural layers rounding out an understated highlight. Losacco's bass plays a ringtone-like repeating pattern to open "La Doppia Ora." Tenzone, who is relentlessly creative throughout the album, moves his drumming from subtle invention to a driving force. He is on top form again during the drum flurries which add the finishing touches to Jaco Pastorius' "Havona." Losacco rises to the challenges of the track as Gasparro provides a solid melodic framework.

The gentle dance of "L'Attesa" allows Gasparro to show his invention and deftness of touch in a dreamy soundscape. "Autumn Tales" closes the album with Ottaviano's spellbinding saxophone carrying the melody in a duet with Losacco, who envelops the track with his hypnotic bass lines.

Sometimes cinematic in nature, Losacco's compositions evoke images, and offer a variety of textures, rhythms and harmonies. Blending composed and improvisational ideas, Losacco and Gasparro combine skillfully to build an enticing soundscape. The wide register of the seven-string bass is unusual and, coupled with the sophisticated range of melodic ideas, makes this an engaging listen throughout.