Colori

Trumpeter Pino Minafra's longstanding affiliation with the much heralded "Italian Instablile Orchestra" amid other noteworthy projects with his fellow Italian countrymen and Europe's finest jazz musicians has only catapulted his reputation as a forward-thinking modernist, willing to take risks. With this 1989 date, the artist leads his quintet through a series of works that skirt the fringes of free and traditional jazz. Pieces such as "Pippo Il Ladro" and "Zolfo" feature the leader's multifaceted technique, animated lines, and clever approach to the mainstream side of jazz. Here, the band ravages thru Professor Longhair-style R&B, Texas roadhouse blues, bop, swing, and the avant-garde, all with a bit of humor and playful mayhem. Thus, Minfara, alto saxophonist Sandro Satta, and pianist/accordionist Antonello Salis provide more than enough fireworks to sustain interest, as the band's performance indicates, that a good time was had by all.