Antonio Ciacca leads a quintet on his first U.S. release. The pianist is a gifted player, though he doesn't feel the need to dominate the proceedings as many young leaders often do. Joined by veteran trumpeter
Joe Magnarelli, tenor saxophonist
Stacy Dillard, bassist
Kengo Nakamura, and drummer Rodney Green, the set opens with "Squazin," an original hard bop vehicle that showcases
Dillard and
Magnarelli in a good light. "Chippewha" is a thinly disguised but effective reworking of the chord changes to "Cherokee," though its unusual introduction keeps it under wraps; while "Rush Life" is based on "Body and Soul," with
Dillard providing a suitably lush solo. Ciacca's loping "Prince of Newark" salutes
Wayne Shorter. There are also several familiar pieces. The pianist takes a fresh look at "On Green Dolphin Street" by utilizing a stripped down approach at the keyboard, and working in block chords as well.
Magnarelli's delicious muted horn carries the breezy take of "Without a Song." This is a rewarding effort by Antonio Ciacca, who will be one to watch. ~ Ken Dryden