Splasc(h) Records - 2007
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Eva Simontacchi
Pure Ecstasy
1. Pure Ecstasy (Roberto Cipelli, Eva Simontacchi) 
2. I Remember You (V. Schertzinger, J. Mercer)
3. I Thiught About You (J. Van Heusen, J. Mercer)
4. Lush Life (B. Strayhorn)
5. You Lighten Up My Life (Roberto Cipelli, Eva Simontacchi)
6. Some Gershwin Air (Attilio Zanchi, Eva Simontacchi)
7. What Is This Thing Called Love (C. Porter)
8. In Summer (Brighetti, B. Martino, J. Hendricks)
9. The More I See You (H. Warren, M. Gordon)
10. There Is No Greater Love (I. Jones, M. Symes)
11. When I Fall In Love (special guest, singer Ermanno Principe) (Y. Young, E. Heyman)
Eva Simontacchi
- vocal
Roberto Cipelli - Piano
Attilio Zanchi - double bass
Gianni Cazzola
- drums
Special Guest:
Gendrickson Mena
- trumpet & flugelhorn
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Eva Simontacchi
comes out with her debut album "Pure Ecstasy"
for Splasc(H) Records. The first question that comes to my mind is: why did she
wait so long to do it?
Eva Simontacchi,
in fact, has all the qualities to appear and be included in the restricted circle
of classy Italian vocalists: intonation, swing, perfect pronunciation and a wide
jazz culture (she is a very much appreciated vocal technique instructor).
It is evident from the very first notes that
the choice of the compositions of the album is not casual at all, but is supported
by an in-depth knowledge of the Broadway songbook, even under the historycal point
of view, of the greatest jazz vocalists (Ella Fitzgerald in the first place).
The original compositions too, written with Roberto Cipelli and Attilio
Zanchi are interesting and well-arranged, especially "You
Lighten Up My Life" that has an intriguing introduction followed by a
beautiful melody that enhances the qualities and the vocal colours of the vocalist.
In my opinion, the mood of this song, and the mood of "Pure
Ecstasy" could direct the future choices of
Eva Simontacchi.
The choice of the partners that the Milanese vocalist chose for her album
couldn't have been more appropriate. The E.S.P. Trio (R. Cipelli,
A.Zanchi
and G. Cazzola) is in fact one of the few Italian jazz trios that "specialized"
in the accompanyment of vocalists (we all remember the long and fruitful collaboration
with Sheila
Jordan). The three musicians have also been given adequate space and
possibility to express themselves in their worthless solos.
But under the instrumental point of view, the true surprise in the record
is the Cuban jazz trumpet and flugelhorn player
Gendrickson
Mena, that I personally didn't know. He is truly amazing both when he
plays the trumpet, the muted trumpet and the flugelhorn. Apart from the ideas he
sets forth in his solos and in his phrasing that he performs with self-confidence
and technical skill, the listener realizes right away that he has an advanced knowledge
of harmony, probably derived from his piano studies and performances. Even though
the atmosphere chosen by
Eva Simontacchi
is suspended and suffused, Gendrickson doesn't avoid some "oblique" phrasings that
enhance his improvisations.
I would like to point out the beautiful pianoless version of "I
Remember You", the excellent performance of Cipelli in "Lush
Life", and "When I Fall In Love"
in which Eva duets with the warm voice of Ermanno Principe. A good record,
a mature work, very pleasing to the ear. We hope
Eva Simontacchi's
next album will be a work on original songs, and we think she can surely afford
to take a little more risk."
Claudio
Angeleri for Jazzitalia
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