Susanna Stivali – A Secret Place (2003/2014) [e-Onkyo FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

Susanna Stivali – A Secret Place (2003/2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96kHz  | Time – 51:40 minutes | 1,05 GB | Genre: Jazz
Official Digital Download – Source: e-onkyo | © Alfa Music

This CD is a journey through what turns the voice into an instrument in constant search of more ways of expression: the melody, like in the best vocal jazz tradition; improvisation, as an extemporary creation and as a moment of communion with the other instruments; and writing, intended as a creative act to be shared and as a story about ones self to be told through the lyrics and their playing along with the music. Five out of the eight tracks in the CD are original lyrics and music compositions by Susanna Stivali (apart from “All the Joys” which takes the lyrics from an Emily Dickinson poem). The other three are re-adaptations of standard jazz (as in the ‘jungle’ version of “Lazy Afternoon”). The choice of the English language comes from the author’s familiarity with it and its natural disposition for sounds and expressions. All pieces are totally detached from one another, moving from swing to “song-style” patterns, to more ‘open’ improvisation moments. There are also chances to enjoy the instrument players solo skills while they accompany the lyrics.
Apart from the skills of the three musicians, the most important factor is the band’s harmony and the distinctive sound that results from it. Accompanying Susanna Stivali: Luca Mannutza at the piano, Marco Loddo at the double-bass, Nicola Angelucci at the drums, who have been playing together for about three years.
To make it all the more memorable there is the special appearance of Rosario Giuliani (with the kind authorisation of Dreyfus Jazz) at the sax, who plays in four of the five original pieces by Susanna Stivali. His presence is marked by his ability to interact with the vocalist and to interpret the original pieces, as well as by the way he manages to involve the listener into his solo performance.

Susanna Stivali esordisce con un CD importante per vari motivi. Innanzitutto perchè una cantante non può non essere leader e credo che dopo vari anni di esperienza live Susanna Stivali abbia finalmente acquisito questa difficile caratteristica, e poi perchè questo CD contiene delle proprie composizioni attraverso le quali si evince ancora di più come l’uso della voce sia oramai completamente paragonabile a quello di un qualsiasi strumento.
Il jazz di Susanna Stivali è moderno, attento ai più attuali stilemi interpretativi e improvvisativi, senza però tralasciare un’impostazione tradizionale. Canta con quel dolce sound leggermente “fuori” che ci riporta alla grandissima Betty Carter, ha un ottimo senso dello swing, cura molto le dinamiche, improvvisa su tutte le strutture e si fa supportare egregiamente da musicisti di ottimo livello con cui ha suonato praticamente da sempre. Eccellente Luca Mannutza al piano, accompagnatore attentissimo ad ogni sfumatura e sempre pronto a rimarcarla in modo sempre pertinente, così come Marco Loddo costante punto di riferimento e il “martello ritmico” Nicola Angelucci. Ovviamente impeccabile anche Rosario Giuliani che impone il suo sax alto su 4 brani.
Tra le composizioni di Susanna Stivali vanno sicuramente sottolineate Tide ed Ex , la title track A Secret Place, un bel 3/4, così come meritano di essere menzionate sia Close Your Eyes e Nature Boy (bel solo di Mannutza). -Marco Losavio, Jazzitalia

Tracklist:
1 Close Your Eyes 6:04
2 Ex 7:37
3 All The Joys 4:01
4 Nature Boy 8:28
5 Lazy Afternoon 9:21
6 A Secret Place 5:38
7 So Far 5:10
8 Tide 5:20

Personnel:
Susanna Stivali, vocal
Luca Mannutza, piano
Marco Loddo, bass
Nicola Angelucci, drums
special guest:
Rosario Giuliani, alto sax

Download:

mqs.link_SusannaStivaliASecretPlace20032014enky2496.part1.rar
mqs.link_SusannaStivaliASecretPlace20032014enky2496.part2.rar