Gianmario Liuni is a lesser known Italian pianist who has carved a niche based on his delicate, sensitive lines and original compositions and lyrics. On this recording, he performs in the lineage that includes minimalists such as
Ran Blake and
Paul Bley, where silence is as important as sound.
Liuni's playing is largely conventional, as he delights in a relaxed artistry in which his right hand glides across the keyboard with a lazy, comforting style infused with afternoon siesta. The trio (
Arrigo Cappelletti performs on piano only on "Il Mondo Tu") is supplemented by the vocals of Maria Antonazzo, whose slightly husky voice sings the Italian lyrics of
Liuni with a just behind-the-beat aesthetic that draws the listener into her den. Even if you do not understand the meaning of the words, she sings with such depth and intense feeling that, combined with the exquisite backing, the tunes drip with emotion.
Liuni eschews rapid tempos in favor of a loose demeanor that infuses each piece with a warmth and beauty. All of the tunes are short, none reaching six minutes, but because they are played slowly and deliberately, they give the illusion of depth, some appearing to be much longer. The drummer, Alessio Pacifico, is a powerful accompanist. On the lovely "Encore Une Minute," for example, he begins with an ear-catching solo introduction, leading to
Liuni's delicate swing. The bassist, Tito Mangialajo Rantzer, is suitably stealth-like, leaving the pianist and vocalist in the forefront. The results are charming and rewarding, even if the arrangements are low octane. ~ Steven Loewy