A classic session of Italian modernist jazz – led by bassist Giorgio Azzolini, and featuring searing trumpet work by Enrico Rava! Pianist Franco D'Andrea and drummer Aldo Romano complete the group – and the tracks show a definite influence of the free jazz stylings that were sweeping Europe during the late 60s, but still keep one foot firmly planted in a swinging jazz tradition – which means that the solos have plenty of sharp edges, while the band still manages to groove nicely!. Lovingly repackaged by the Rearward label – and including the tracks "Israel", "Beyond The Corner", "Crucial Moment", and "Free Duet". CD

Reissue of this classic Italian album of piano jazz – recorded in 1963 by a trio that features Renato Sellani on piano, Giorgio Azzolini on bass, and Lionello Bionda on drums. Sellani was one of Italy's best pianists at the time, and his playing on the record is at a level that reminds us of some of Duke Jordan's best work from the late 50s. Azzolini's a real treat, too – as his round warm bass tones bring a lot of soul to the set, and stand out nicely on their own during his short solos. Tracks include "Tres Palabras", "Polvere Di Stelle", "Sonar", "Di Giorno In Giorno", and "On Green Dolphin Street". CD

A bossa jazz session, but one with a different twist than usual! Franco Cerri plays acoustic guitar here, but his sound is a fair bit different than that of contemporaneous guitarists from Brazil – almost a bit earthier, with the rasp you might have heard from earlier European guitarists, particularly those of the Django generation. Yet despite that sound, Cerri's music here is very much in a 60s mode – sweetly grooving with great bossa rhythms from drummer Franco Tonani and bassist Giorgio Azzolini – in a combo that also features work from Nando Nebuloni on flute and Dino Piana on trombone. There's a breezy, jazzy feel to the whole set – with plenty of room for Cerri's solos – and titles include "Bossa Nova USA", "Desafinado", "Chega De Saudade", "Stringmi Forte I Polsi", "Sambalanco", "Perche Perche", "Samba Di Una Sola Nota", "Blues Bossa Nova", and "Voce E Eu". CD