Gianluigi Trovesi has distinguished himself as one of the leaders of the small, but active, Italian jazz avant-garde. Although he is often heard on saxophone, here he plays ten duets on clarinet with
Gianni Coscia on accordion. While both
Trovesi and
Coscia are fine players, whether you enjoy this album is likely to depend on whether you enjoy the mix of klezmer, Eastern European, and Italian folk influences. Most of the songs are upbeat, simple melodies, with a slightly jazzy feel, the kind you might find at a lively Jewish wedding. The variations on "Oseh Shalom," a prayer for peace, for example, wail with delight, and would make any bride and groom dance up a storm. The other secular dances will get your feet tapping, yet are probably best for easy listening. This recording pales compared to some of
Trovesi's best work, and is bound to disappoint many of his followers, who might expect something a bit more adventurous.