A compelling set of club jazz work from Italy – proof that the nation's scene has plenty to offer besides well known work on Schema Records! We really dug the previous album from Berardi Jazz Connection, and this set is equally great – a sweet-stepping batch of jazz tracks that runs between modal numbers and soulful grooves – served up in a blend of instrumentation that includes Fender Rhodes, sax, trumpet, guitar, bass, and drums – used in varying ways from track to track, and occasionally augmented by a bit of soulful female vocals. The rhythms here are very much in the best spirit of the contemporary club jazz scene, but are also pretty fresh too – a bit more loosened up from the straight Schema mode, and inflected with a wider range of soulful influences. Titles include "To Brian", "O Prazer De Ser", "The Renegade", "Relax", "FDP", "Play Kid", "Friendly", "Lies", and "Last Night A Cat Stopped Me". (New Grooves, Jazz) CD