This Italian trumpet duo -- and they mean every kind of trumpet except for Tibetan thighbone -- offers an evening in duet that is full of surprise and innovation. From the long elusive lines of counterpoint to overtonal chiming and ringing to choppy, knotty funky studies in rhythm and harmonic interplay,
Guido Mazzon and Alberto Mandarini offer a look at the trumpet family that is nothing short of revelatory. In 13 selections, all manner of jazz phrasing is explored with intervallic studies of tone and timbre woven against harmonic displays of ethereal texture and a range of sonances that are impossible to classify except to say that they are governed by a series of dynamics that renders them spacious and full of restraint. With percussion and live electronics tossed into the mix at various junctures, depth and dimension are added making the sonic territories explored almost infinite. The methodology of trumpeting with its plunger mutes and wah-wah mutes with flügelhorns playing counterpoint against D trumpets engaged in extended breathing techniques is dizzying. There isn't a boring second on this wonderful recording. This duo is the buzz. Period. ~ Thom Jurek