Showing posts with label Matteo Bortone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matteo Bortone. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Enrico Morello - Cyclic Signs (2021 Auand Records)

Enrico Morello, one of the most creative drummers in the Italian jazz scene, to release his new album “Cyclic Signs” on Auand Records on March 19

Italian drummer Enrico Morello debut album comes after gaining experience on the need of putting together the endless inputs he received over many years of activity as a sideman. These collaborations allowed him to get in touch and play with the musicians he selected as members of his Cyclic Signs quartet – Francesco Lento on trumpet, Daniele Tittarelli on alto sax and Matteo Bortone on double bass.

Immediately and solid and synched, the members’ approach and contribution fit into Morello’s complex original compositions, and enriched them with their own vision. The Cyclic Signs driving force is to be found in the rhythms of life, and their multiple transformations. However, this album also wants to become a gesture, a moving body, a kinetic force – in other words, a dance.
«When I had to put these concepts into music», Morello explains, «I started from what I feel is more suitable to me – rhythm. I tried to subvert the predictable logic of a metered tempo by tracing unexpected and mixed paths. My aim was to give that feeling of surprise and confusion back to the listeners facing the unknown.»

«Using instruments», he adds, «that are mostly monodic allows a polyphonic development of the themes and let the music flow from silence, just like the strokes of a painter on a canvas. I focused my energy on the harmonic side of each track, conducting the different voices that create the polyphony. Following these principles, harmony keeps a central role in the big picture of these compositions, and it determines their changing music scenarios.»

«Such choices», Morello says, «led me to exploring soundscapes that have an essential timber, although their appearance is complex and well-structured. They are not so far from some traditional music productions in Central Africa, which endlessly inspired my creative research.»

1. The Forest People 04:18
2. Persephone’s Dance 04:35
3. Sometimes, During The Night 00:49
4. What Happened On The Road 07:57
5. Walking Together 01:28
6. Drills In My Brain 05:49
7. Tales De Hadas 06:40
8. Playful 01:00
9. Natural Movement 05:25
10. Quite Close 06:25
11. Ghost Truck 09:20
12. The End Is The Beginning 01:56

Francesco Lento - trumpet
Daniele Tittarelli - alto sax
Matteo Bortone - double bass
Enrico Morello - drums, qraqeb, carillon

Recorded at Cicaleto Recording Studio, Arezzo - Italy
on July 2-3, 2020 by Francesco Ponticelli

Mixed at Cicaleto Recording Studio, Arezzo - Italy
on August 6-7, 2020 by Francesco Ponticelli

Mastered at Jambona Lab, Livorno - Italy
on August 24, 2020 by Antonio Castiello

Sunday, April 1, 2018

Greg Burk - The Detroit Songbook (SteepleChase Productions ApS 2018)


Pianist Greg Burk’s striking solo album “Clean Spring” (SCCD 33124) was recorded in Italy and released in March of 2016 to critical and public acclaim.

“… the sustained complementary independence of Burk’s limbs borders on the preternatural. Piano recitals are a near quotidian exercise these days in the crowded jazz arena. Burk’s latest sortie in the idiom boldly stands out.” (Derek Taylor – Dusted Magazine)

Here on this new trio album Michigan native Greg Burk pays musical homage to the city where he spent his formative years as a professional musician.

1 JANGLE 5:35
2 THE CHILD RETURNS 6:01
3 WHEN AUTUMN LEAVES 5:07
4 CASS AND PALMER 5:51
5 C AND C AGAIN 6:54
6 WOODWARD STRIDE 7:05
7 MATINS 5:38
8 BELLE ISLE BREEZE 7:41
9 SCENE UNSEEN 5:14


Monday, April 18, 2016

Matteo Bortone Travelers - Time Images (2015)


Label: Auand


“One of the most audacious bands in the new jazz scene”
Theodore Von Claer, Djam France
“A brilliant young quartet forged by unique relationship between the musicians !”
Lionel Eskenazi, Jazz Magazine France
“This is a great work of visionary, crosscutting writing by a great artist”
Fabrizio Versienti, Corriere del Mezzogiorno
“This is a proof of maturity, clear and bright ideas”
Flavio Caprera, Jazz Convention
“An astonishing evidence of avant-garde spirit in jazz language”
Fabrizio Zampighi, Sentire Ascoltare



Formed by Italian bass player and composer Matteo Bortone in 2008, TRAVELERS is a french/Italian quartet embracing sonic adventures trying to explore the edge between contemporary jazz and rock/pop music. This musical intention is created by bridging a weaving world of contrasts and dialogues between heady melodies, sweet songs and full-on improvisations where electric and acoustic interwine.

Travelers sound concept is determined by the composition and instrumentation but also by the belief and the will to be a group with the same line-up, a band with- out prima dona where the artistry and personality of the musicians are revealed throughout Bortone’s repertoire, tailor-made for his companions.

The young group unites four of the most outstanding musicians of the new jazz generation: together with Matteo, Antonin-Tri Hoang (alto sax, clarinets), Francesco Diodati (guitar, effects) and Ariel Tessier (drums).
Their first work has been released in March 2013 (Zone di Musica rec.): the album received some important press awards as the “Révélation Jazzman” and “Jazz Découverte” in France as well as “Jazzit likes it” in Italy. Since then, they toured around Italy, Belgium, France and United Kingdom.“Time Images”their follow-up album, has been released In September 2015, by Auand Records (promoted with the help of Puglia Sounds).



01 Sunday Supermarket
02 Just Play
03 Intro Crackle
04 Crackle
05 The Locked Room
06 Wide Blue
07 Houses of the Holy
08 Olvidao
09 Broskar
10 Tourne
11 Olvidao 1

Antonin-Tri Hoang - alto sax, clarinet, bass clarinet, synth
Francesco Diodati - electric & acoustic guitar
Matteo Bortone - double bass, electric bass
Ariel Tessier - drums