Personnel:
Giuseppe Cucchiara (b), Ben Solomon (ts), Chris McCarthy (piano), Simon Moullier (vib), Adam Arruda (d)
Reference: FSNT-711
Bar code: 8427328437110
First Book: Done! refers to the final tune in a book of tunes that Giuseppe has been working on. Not his first book of tunes, by any means, as Giuseppe has been honing his writing skills since his student days, and shaping them through the refining fire of hundreds of NYC and international gigs.
This CD is a superb studio recording of the work of a burgeoning leader and an outstanding group that has been working together for a few years now. No need to fling around highfalutin references to these musicians’ lineages: they all have powerful individual voices that build on the best of the jazz tradition. A quick perusal of the Outer net will provide a glimpse of their work, and the company they keep.
The music comes across as driving, elegant, and impeccably played. From the title tune to the closing River the interplay is effervescent and tight. The inspired solos, duets, and group improvisations are kept essential in service of awell-balanced project, giving room to each voice, and to the writing.
The seven original tunes and one cover offer plenty of tasteful twists in their structure, melody, and harmony to keep the ears on alert [...] This is a recording to keep on the fast dial. If you have a chance, do yourself a favor and also listen to the group live. Catch the mat Ornithology Jazz Club, Smalls, The Jazz Gallery, or other venues. Brace for surprises, new material, and the exhilarating stretching out this group is known to pursue in live situations.
With such an assertive recording (the second, after Music for Your Soul), I can only hope we won’t have to wait too long for this group to delight us with another musical bounty in Second Book: Done!!
—Michele Caniato (Taken from the inside liner notes)
