Advertisement
Advertisement

Massimiliano Coclite: Midnight / Sun

In brief:
"Midnight / Sun shows that Coclite is far more than an idolised Italian crooner. His effortless understanding of the piano is clearly demonstrated throughout this album with tasteful improvisation on top of brilliant writing by Fascioli"

Placed among the best Italian crooners since 2012 by Jazziz magazine, Massimiliano Coclite has made a name for himself on the European scene. He has released over 30 albums and played across Europe, Asia and America. His journey in music has predominantly been in jazz, as a pianist, singer, composer and arranger.

In the past, Coclite has released many albums consisting of his own compositions. However, this project focuses on the work of Morgan Fascioli. Fascioli’s music is built upon a strong jazz influence branching across popular music and easy listening. The outcome is a bridge between styles where improvisation plays a decisive but not an elitist role. The incorporation of these various genres allows the music to flow naturally through the voice of Coclite.

Advertisement

The opener, Madeira, draws upon idiomatic techniques where Coclite directly uses the strings within the piano before branching out into a more conventional use of the instrument. Sidewalk begins with an ostinato in the bass which develops alongside a simple melody in the right-hand. This is repeated whilst textures and harmony are further explored before we reach an improvised section.

Lanewood is underlined by a funkier motif at the heart of the composition. With a simple chord progression, this gives Coclite plenty of space to make it his own. Although the improvisation on this track is impressive, it was the comping that really caught my ear. The left-hand is always in close connection with the right, allowing both voices to form into one. Greenock strips everything back with its rubato feel. Chords and voicings are at the forefront with plenty of pedal giving us a relaxed and gentle moment of reflection.

Midnight / Sun shows that Coclite is far more than an idolised Italian crooner. His effortless understanding of the piano is clearly demonstrated throughout this album with tasteful improvisation on top of brilliant writing by Fascioli.

Hear/buy Massimiliano Coclite: Midnight / Sun

Discography
Madeira; What About Now; Sidewalk; Timeless; Colibris; North Bay; Lanewood; Call Home; Greenock; White Cliff Country; Ride It!; Midnight Sun (56.58)
Coclite (p). Oslo, September 2019.
MusiCab MS101CB

Latest audio reviews

Advertisement

More from this author

Advertisement

Jazz Journal articles by month

Advertisement

Terri Lyne Carrington: TLC & Friends

Debut from the then 16-year-old drummer, now jazz and gender justice campaigner, placed her alongside such luminaries as Kenny Barron
Advertisement

Obituary: Wally Fawkes

Bechet-style clarinettist and creator of the Daily Mail's Flook cartoon who played with Humphrey Lyttelton and ran Trog's jazz club in Chelsea
Advertisement

A Tower Of Inspiration: Dave Weckl’s Master Plan at 30

Some dismiss it as a time of mullets and macho chops, but 1990 gave birth to the much-admired debut album by the Missouri-born drum virtuoso who had come to prominence with Chick Corea
Advertisement

Art Kane Harlem 1958, the 60th Anniversary Edition

At the unearthly hour of 10.00 am on 12 August 1958 Art Kane (1925-1995), a tyro photographer, with the logistical help of critic Nat...
Advertisement

Miles Davis: Birth Of The Cool – the film

Fans of Miles Davis may remember some grainy old footage of the trumpeter shadowboxing in a gym sometime during the mid-1960s. It’s a clip...
Advertisement

JJ 07/61: Jackie McLean talks to Valerie Wilmer

Today, years after his death, the shadow of Charlie Parker still hovers relentlessly above the head of almost every aspiring altoist. One who has...
"Midnight / Sun shows that Coclite is far more than an idolised Italian crooner. His effortless understanding of the piano is clearly demonstrated throughout this album with tasteful improvisation on top of brilliant writing by Fascioli"Massimiliano Coclite: Midnight / Sun