This is the one to purchase if you decide to own one
Urbani in your collection. Why? The quartet (
Luigi Bonafede on piano;
Furio Di Castri on bass; and
Paolo Pellegatti on drums, with
Urbani, of course, on alto sax) performs with uncommon synchronicity on a varied set. While the album is dedicated to Ayler and Coltrane, the music is anything but free-style, as might be implied. Instead, the wonderfully diverse pick of tunes (Coltrane's "Naima," Bird's "Scrapple form the Apple," Waldron's "Soul Eyes," Weill's "Speak Low," among three originals) is played with exquisite passion and precision. "Scrapple," where
Urbani is backed only by acoustic bass, is a masterpiece, while "Soul Eyes" is blown with heart-rendering grace.
Urbani's own "Dedications" burns, leaving behind little, if any, tread. Think of
Urbani as a sort of super-
Phil Woods and you might get the idea. Very cool. ~ Steven Loewy