Ferri’s Italian trio is augmented here by US pianist Dave Kikoski, who plays throughout. The music flows along engagingly on the first four tracks, all written by Ferri.
The music is in the general area of hard bop with the leader showing himself to be a relaxed guitarist somewhat in the style of Wes Montgomery. He unfolds some inventive guitar lines on the opening Kiko’s Delight, dedicated presumably to his American guest but not stated as such. New Hope is another medium-tempo opus with the guitar front and centre and strong support from Kikoski’s well-placed chords.
Mirage has a blues flavour with Ferri’s guitar more downhome in approach and blues licks from him and in Kikoski’s solos. So Close is an attractive ballad with guest tenor sax man Marcelo Allulli the main soloist. The tenor man plays in a soft-focus style with his own approach to the music. Ferri scores all round as both guitar soloist and composer, his writing very much in the 1950s-60s bop tradition.
Including Sam Jones’s Unit 7 and two well-known standards was a good idea that produces plenty of variety. Ferri appears to relish the Jones line, turning in a sparkling solo. The rhythm section supports the front-line well – as they do on all selections. Bassist Battaglia gets a good workout on Unit 7.
Lyrical readings of the two standards round off the session well and although there is nothing wildly innovative on offer, this is a good, relaxed all-round mainstream set.
Discography
Kiko’s Delight; New Hope; Mirage; So Close; Unit 7; They Say It’s Wonderful; The Song Is You (38.28)
Marcello Allulli (ts); Ferri (elg); David Kikoski (p); Stefano Battaglia (b); Luca Santaniello (d). Italy, 2024.
Gleam Records AM7028
