EMANUELE CISI QUARTET - HOMECOMING

Emanuele Cisi has earned a reputation as being one of Italy's top tenor and soprano saxophonists over the last two decades with his distinctive fluid style that oozes with style and lyricism. He has cut six albums under his own name and has participated in dozens of others as either a co-leader or sideman.  He’s recorded in many different European countries for both Italian and foreign labels (including Blue Note and Universal). He’s played at concerts and TV shows Europe, United States, and China, and has collaborated with the likes of Clark Terry, Jimmy Cobb, Billy Cobham, Nat Adderley, Aldo Romano, Daniel Humair, Enrico Rava, Paolo Fresu, Sting and many others.

His latest album, Homecoming, was recorded with his quartet comprising of Luigi Bonafede (piano), Rosario Bonaccorso (bass) and Francesco Sotigu (drums), and is out on the Japanese label that specialises in Italian jazz, Albore Jazz. The format here is very organic – tunes that build slowly but strongly, all penned by Cisi and other group members. The soprano sax tunes are especially nice – gently arcing in space with a open, earnest feel – never stretching out too much, but finding just the right pace for the pulse. Titles include "Sweet Prayer", "Temporary", "Warnin Up", "Rosa", "Homecoming", and "Like Luigi". The sound is very much modern European post-bop jazz with a nod of respect to Coltrane and Sonny Rollins, and the whole set has a warm and rich feel to it. The album bursts into life with Like Luigi, an explosive, uptempo number with Cisi offering us a stunning, expressive tenor workout that dominates the piece with just short space for a breather in the mid-section. It's a tune that won't let you sit still, but just as you're really getting into the swing of things, it comes to an abrupt halt at the four minute mark, leaving the listener hungry for more.

The title tune is a mellow, laidback ballad with soprano sax that is full of longing and has an understated feel that gives it power. This is followed by the foot-tapping "Scisi Ta'", a wonderful slice of mid-tempo jazz with Cisi weaving his melodies over some really solid backing. Elsewhere high points include the soprano-led "Temporary," a very modern European jazz number and the swinging "Song For Bengt," which could either be a tribute to the Danish tenorman, Bengt Jaedig or his compatriot, pianist Bengt Axen, since it features both lengthy tenor and piano solos, though either way it's a great tune. Homecoming really highlights the talents of Emanuele Cisi and his band both as performers and composers. and is a great jazz album for late summer evenings, that is worth