Toni Germani Quartet - Canzoni In Scatola (Songs In A Box) (2016)

This sublimely melodic album by Italian saxophonist and composer Toni Germani, is his ninth as a leader and the first to appear on the SLAM label, he presents a trio of sensitive musicians based in Paris.

Germani writes: "It confirms my love for the melody with accompaniment, considered as the main way to express an intimate relationship between experience of life and experience of music. In fact, the approach is basically "expressionist" and narrative, because the improvisation is conceived as a variation on and a development of the expressive mood affirmed by the theme. But the chant's eruption must be stopped, at a certain point, the song must end and the form claims its part: so the songs are closed...in a box."

“Scatola isn’t very far from ascolta (listen) and that’s all you have to do with this elegant set of mid-range ballads from Germani. He’s a passionate guy, whose political advocacy is never strident and all the more compelling for being cast in these arrestingly beautiful forms. Crecando Parole, which leads off, is dedicated to Coltrane, who may be the biggest single influence; Ceccarelli has certainly listened to Tyner, so the provenance feels about right. I get echoes of Bobby Watson too.” - Brian Morton, Jazz Journal

“The album seems never to change pace: it is utterly cool, phlegmatic; everybody has all the time in the world to get to where they are going, but there’s no urgency and the mode is very down-to-earth. This brings to the album a certain grace - and the music and its playing are dispensed with considerable elegance. Definitely music to relax to.” - Ken Cheetham, Jazz Views

“The most melodic of the albums... it’s all very attractive and accessible. He’s got a sweet and sour Campari of a tone, and uses it well as the rhythm team delivers a sleek "Cercando Parole" and nimbly bopping "Little Big Aunt." Ceccarelli’s piano is crystalline on the thoughtful "Las Angelas" while Goraguer’s brush’s subtly sashay on the alluring title piece. Germanic can be both passionate and romantic as on the rubato "Anno Che Va, Anno Che Viene," yet every piece has a luscious groove. Excellent!” - George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly

“This is a very laid back set, the leader plays in an un-rushed manner and with clearly formulated lines in a matter-of-fact style.” - Robert D Rusch, Cadence