Release Date: 09 November 2009
Label: ECM Records
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 602517975101
Genres: Jazz
Description
The debut album from a duo with a most uncommon instrumentation, acoustic guitar and trumpet - but it's a highly attractive combination. Ralph Towner, guitarist extraordinaire, an ECM artist since 1972, is joined by Italian trumpet star Paolo Fresu, making his label debut for ECM.
Bright melodies and subtle colours prevail in a programme of old and new Ralph Towner compositions, plus improvisations, and a favourite from Kind of Blue era Miles Davis. The choice of "Blue in Green" as the sole cover version here says something about the aesthetic priorities of both musicians. These are players who understand the power of silence and melodic clarity. Fresu's trumpet playing, with his clear vibratoless sound, has often been compared with that of Miles Davis.
Towner first encountered Fresu 15 years ago, at a festival in Sardinia where the guitarist had been commissioned to write music for an ensemble. Paolo was the trumpet player. "From the first phrase he played I thought: wow, this guy really understands melodies!" The piece played that day, "Punta Giara", is revisited here. "Sacred Place" and "Doubled Up" are the first recordings to feature Ralph's new baritone guitar, tuned a fifth below standard guitar tuning. The instrument, reaching down for the deep notes, wonderfully balances Fresu's flugelhorn. Elsewhere Ralph's classical guitar sings in its unique way. Perfect moments, like a flaring of fireworks.
Chiaroscuro is Ralph Towner's 22nd album as a leader for ECM, in a discography with well over 30 titles. Alongside the landmark recordings like Diary, Solstice and Batik, this one has all the hallmarks of a classic.
Personnel: Ralph Towner (classical, baritone and 12-string guitars), Paolo Fresu (trumpet, flugelhorn)
Tracklisting
Estonian National Symphony Orchestra; German Hornsound; Olari Elts
Bennie Maupin; Herbie Hancock; Buster Williams; Frederick Waits; Billy Hart; Bill Summers; Charles
Arve Henriksen; Trygve Seim; Anders Jormin; Markku Ounaskari
Joe Lovano; Marcin Wasilewski Trio
Chick Corea
Savina Yannatou; Primavera en Salonico; Lamia Bedioui
Vijay Iyer; Wadada Leo Smith
Anouar Brahem; Anja Lechner; Django Bates; Dave Holland
Marty Robbins
Michel Petrucciani Trio
Lagon Nwar
Bruno Angelini
Fabrice Moreau
Angelo Debarre, Serge Camps & Frank Anastasio
Juan Carmona
Joe Webb
