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Renato D'Aiello

Sintetico

33JAZZ151

Fronting a rhythm section comprising two Italians (Sardinian bassist Nicola Muresu, pianist Andrea Pozza, from Genoa) and an American (drummer Keith Copeland), saxophonist Renato D'Aiello proves throughout this wholly unpretentious, approachable album that virtuosity need not consist of forcing your instrument to produce its whole range of sounds in every solo, nor of producing blisteringly fast salvos of notes that explore every nook and cranny of a chord sequence.

Instead, D'Aiello concentrates on tonal beauty, producing a series of ripe, rich, sonorous tenor expositions of a mix of in-band originals and standards in the manner of, say, Dexter Gordon. Relaxed, unhurried but imbued with intense warmth tinged with poignancy, D'Aiello's tenor sound thus prioritises the expression of sentiment rather than the demonstration of instrumental facility, and in a set that includes everything from easy-paced lopes that slowly build to a tightly controlled climax ('For Heaven's Sake'), through intensely melodic, fluting ballads ('Portrait of Jenny') to Dexter-ish swaggers ('If I Should Lose You') and vigorous workouts (Sonny Stitt's 'Eternal Triangle'), he showcases one of the most attractive and affecting tenor sounds in contemporary jazz. Recommended.