ASCANIO SCANO - SACUDELO (2008)

Pianoforte tastiere: Ascanio Scano

Percussioni: Marco Catinaccio

Basso: Pasquale Cosco

Chitarra: Giuseppe Bertolino

Sax e Flauto: Gianni Stefani

Tromba: Maurizio Scomparin

Trombone: Toni Costantini

Sacudelo (Salsa)

Garrapata (Salsa)

Olleme tu (Songo)

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Review by Paul J. Youngman - KJA Advocate for Vinilemania.net

Pianist Ascanio Scano has assembled a small group, a septet. They have put out a hot new EP, Sacudelo, a three song sampler that cooks with Latin intensity. Each one of the original Scano composed tunes is under five minutes. Scano has provided wonderful arrangements and packs in some thrilling moments from trumpeter Maurizio Scomparin, flutist and saxophonist Gianni Stefani as well as trombonist Toni Costantini. The band is very tight; the rhythm section as led by Scano has great dynamics. This is a wonderful salsa style sampler that is all about excitement.

The title track is the first number and it has serious dynamics. It sounds like a Cuban big band tearing up the house. The excellent percussion from Marco Catinaccio is the propellant, a wake up call that leads in to a very pretty trumpet riff, sounding Miles like, that trademark muted sound. The song progresses through a flute solo of refined brilliance, a melodically pleasing tune in a medium paced tempo. The horn section breaks in and blows heavy, revving up the excitement to a climax that ends strong.

The horn section leads off the next track, another salsa tune that has Scano playing his electric keyboard as a set of vibes. An exciting saxophone solo is the feature, care of Gianni Stefani. The arrangements are the high light, the intricate breaks, group accents and solid dynamics that all adds up to creating this serious intensity. Ascanio Scano contributes a fusion like synthesizer solo on the final verse that sounds out of place.

The final Scano song, co-written by C. Cavassori is a songo rhythm, a repetitive pulse that leaves a lot of room for the soloists to have some fun. The soloist that leaves the greatest impression is conguero Marco Catinaccio. The driving heartbeat rhythm is created by electric bassist Pasquale Cosco who plays an exciting style of bass reminiscent of Jaco Pastorius. The song features a guitar solo by Giuseppe Bertolino, he lets rip for about eight bars, a wild sound that tears and screams. Saxophonist Stefani takes the last verse and returns fire with his own screams of passion, the final word on an exciting EP that is just getting started when it ends (EP - ends prematurely).