Lorenzo Di Maio - Arco (2021) Hi-Res

Lots of strings and even a UFO on Lorenzo Di Maio's second album. The rock element is gradually giving way to an Americana touch.

It has been five years since his debut under his own name ('Black Rainbow', Igloo). However, the guitarist was active on various fronts (4in1, Next.Ape, Eric Legnini, Fabrice Alleman, Laurent Doumont) and recently shone on the stage of the Gaume Jazz Festival in the group of French saxophonist Jean-Baptiste Berger.

On the extremely dark cover of 'Arco', two images of Di Maio. A photo in which he is very recognizable while the second is only a shadow image. the dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde syndrome? The fact is that he is a versatile and flexible musician. On 'Arco' (bow) he lets his love of classical music bubble up. To highlight this aspect of his musical universe, he called on the string quartet UFO (Ultra Foniiki Orchestra) with Maritsa Ney (violin), Martin Lauwers (violin), Marie Ghitta (viola) and Marine Horbaczewski (cello). The latter is of course very familiar with crossover projects through her work with Tuur Florizoone and Harvest Group, among others.

Just to clarify, 'Arco' is not a third-rate “third stream”. The strings fit very organically into Di Maio's compositions. The fact that Fabian Fiorini took care of the arrangements says a lot. A strong example is the opening track in which initially the quartet has some dialogue with each other and the guitar strings gradually join this group discreetly. A quiet reflection, the explanation of which is accentuated after two and a half minutes by the rhythm section (bassist Sam Gerstmans, drummer Antoine Pierre). It is the reason to develop a more intense melody line, but the intimate framework of chamber music is preserved. In this way, the septet generates a great impact without excesses.

Around this basis, a total of nine compositions are elaborated with various angles and accents. In 'Mela' it is the Antoine Pierre touch that provides an extra jazz vibe. In the super short 'Line-Up' (just over a minute) a bebop flashes by. This piece by Lennie Tristano is the only cover. The merging of all stringed instruments in the Americana-tinged 'Blue Stream' is extremely stylish and refined, a trip in expansive decors with once again those sharp guitar riffs typical of Di Maio. The tension is pushed to the top in 'Looking For The Beast', a pure example of horror soundtrack. Queen's piece is the nine-minute long 'The End And The Beginning', marked by a well-thought-out structure containing various mood settings.

On the basis of this 'Arco', Di Maio illustrates that he is not only a guitarist who skillfully controls and controls his playing, but is also an inventive composer who knows how to build not only a balance but above all delicate contrasts between energetic passages and fragile moods on the one hand and the world of acoustic and electric instruments on the other. Feel free to call it an “écriture de songe”. Someone who clearly has a lot of surprises in store.

~Georges Tonla Briquet