New from Sardinian saxophonist Enzo Favata and his gently invasive Atlantico quintet, recorded in Germany, this is archetypal chamber jazz with folkloric twists. It isn’t about groove or somersaults of riffery and jazz soloing. Instead it is lapping Mediterranean moods matched with South American folk.
A live version of ‘El Sur’ performed at Sardinia’s Musica Sulle Bocche Festival in 2024
The writing draws heavily upon Sardinian folk heritage, South American milongas and literary imagery inspired by writers like Jorge Luis Borges and Gabriel García Márquez. Guitarist Marcello Peghin’s piece ‘Tukuman’ opens and he has a hand in ‘El Sur’ next, with Favata and, on the following track, the bassist Salvatore Maltana chipping in. The universe they create is a refined and elegant world full of humane spirit and a certain tenderness. The bandoneon player Daniele di Bonaventura isn’t to be left out, contributing ‘Sine Nomine’, but the tunes all sit remarkably well together regardless of who writes them.
Born in Alghero, north-west Sardinia, Favata, 69, began in local wind bands before developing an interest in regional instruments such as the launeddas, a traditional, ancient polyphonic woodwind instrument made of three separate cane pipes played simultaneously.
Over a recording career spanning more than twenty albums as a leader, I liked his late-1990s album Ajò with Dino Saluzzi, which also involved the guitarist and bassist heard on this new one. His work has continually shifted between acoustic ensembles and experimental electronic projects. Favata’s leadership of Sardinia’s long-running Musica sulle Bocche festival has further solidified his standing in Italian contemporary music.
Joined on Ritornare [which in Italian means “to return”] by the aforementioned bandoneonist Daniele di Bonaventura, who is excellent on the new Adam Bałdych European Quartet album Endless, recently reviewed on marlbank, 10-string guitarist Marcello Peghin, double bassist Salvatore Maltana and percussionist U.T. Gandhi, the reedist focuses on soprano saxophone, clarinet and bass clarinet.
All in all, an unhurried, relaxing sound you can melt into that is perfect for laid-back Sunday listening.
I feel it is a community of players at work intent on evoking an eternal pastorale where the natural world and dark passions of humans rotate in uneasy collision in a dance to the music of time.
Enzo Favata, photo, top: ECM
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