A legendary overview of jazz on the Italian scene at the start of the 60s – a great document of the new modes that was really setting the work of Italian jazz musicians apart from those in other parts of Europe – working with fresh ideas and a new conception that's completely sublime! The work here often has a great balance between structure and individual voice – and many numbers feature strong soloists who'd go on to great fame in a variety of settings – already graced here with talents that seem greater than their young years. Trumpeter Enrico Rava leads things off in a quartet with pianist Maurizio Lama, on a version of the tune "Line For Lyons" – and Lama follows with a trio reading of his own "Tema For Franco". Trumpeter Sergio Fanni is joined by the great Eraldo Volante on tenor and baritone on the tunes "Duo" and "Circeo". Later soundtrack artist Piero Umiliani serves up his "Picolla Suite Americana" – followed by the Modern Jazz Gang of saxophonist Sandro Brugnolini (with later sound library giants Enzo Scoppa and Cicci Santucci), on the tracks "The Drum Is A Tramp" and "Blue Mirria". Trombonist Dino Piana delivers the tune "Tempo Di Febbraio" with help from the great Gianni Basso on tenor – and the set also features a reading of "Bag's Groove" with Giorgio Azzolini on bass, Piano on trombone, and Attilio Donadio on alto. LP, Vinyl record album

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