QUINTETTO X

THE BAND

Pietro Vincenti (Piano, Fender Rhodes, Compositions, Arrangements) --- Marcello Piarulli (Electric bass) --- Fabio Accardi (Drums) --- Francesco De Giosa (Guitars) --- Antongiulio Galeandro (Flute) ---

Featuring: Mariella Carbonara (Voice) --- Introducing: Rosalia de Souza (Voice)

This time Ishtar Records (former "Schema") would like to present you the re-mastered version of “Novo Esquema Da Bossa” of Quintetto X previously released in autumn 1995. With this work "Quintetto X" confirms their strong Italian jazz identity with an album that demonstrates a spontaneous yet well crafted fusion between Soul, Jazz and Brazilian Bossa. "Quintetto X" is from Bari, which is on the edge of the “heel” in Italy. This land is a meeting point where energies gather shaping surroundings and emotions. The "Fez” cultural movement led by (at that time emerging DJ) Nicola Conte has made these surroundings the settings for their creations and their sound, well appreciated all over the world.

From "Dusty Groove":

"One of the very first records that hipped our ears to the bossa sound of the Italian scene – a seminal mid 90s session from the lovely Quintetto X! In a world where few had figured out how to make modern bossa grooves without putting in too many beats, or heading into smooth jazz territory, Quintetto X had it all figured out – and emerged out of nowhere with a perfectly-formed sound that was one of the best modern takes on the older Brazilian sound at the time! And even now, a decade after the original album, the whole thing still sounds wonderful – bristling with a core bossa jazz energy that easily steps back and forth between 60s jazz and 70s electric takes on the style – all topped off by some great vocals from singer Rosalia De Douza! The set features a wonderful remake of Archie Shepp's "Blues for B.G. Jackson", a funky version of Horace Silver's "The Jody Grind", and a nice reworking of Marcos Valle's "Freio Aerodinamico".

Comments taken from the liner notes by Nicola Conte (August, 1995):

“Novo Esquema Da Bossa“ or else “New Bossa Outlook” is for us a movement, an attitude and a rhythm. It is the development of an idea that evolves from the appreciation of its own cultural distinctiveness.

It is the southern light. It is contemporary music inspired from Afro- American, Brazilian and Italian jazz which slinks form the author’s song to the beat poetry.

It is the tempo of modern music that creates its best art with delicacy.

It favours spontaneity rather than perfection as well as creation as opposed to the final product.

Rumbling cymbals clanging clanks on percussive beats of a drum: fusion vs definition.

Imagination, creativity, wonder, exploration and innovation.

Jazz is a spontaneous invention. Its patterns exist to be excelled at and transcended beyond any kind of human dimension.

These frames are in fact considered as “launching pads” towards totally undiscovered destination. In “Novo Esquema da Bossa”, starting from the cover, inspired by both the Quartetto di Lucca and Sergio Mendes, it is easy to perceive the vibes of some intense longings which give body to a highly fervent musical attitude recognizable as being Italian.

Here, in this playful musical game of modern Brazilian music, Italian flavors and jazz. It is not difficult to feel that Mina and Ornella Vanoni are the reference for “C’è più Samba” and “Senza Paura”, while Joyce and Edu Lobo are the source of inspiration for “Luce Del Sud”.

On the other hand, “Jody Grind” is a soul-jazz classic by Horace Silver here arranged in the fashion of Sergio Mendes Brazil ’66 while keeping in mind the Mereilles & Copa 7’s version that, together with Eumir Deodato, created fantastic arrangements for both Ellis Regina or Marcos Valle whose lesson can be seen in “Meu Desespero”. “Esquema da Bossa” and “Ceu Azul” instead, openly reflect the style of Hermeto and Airto’s Quartetto Novo while, here and there, it is a joy to perceive a very effective Tamba Trio’s touch.

Some intense reminiscence of Franco d’Andrea and Dom Salvador can be heard in Piero’s piano playing when, at the same time, some of these sounds, gently remind the absolutely dazzling style of the honourable 1971’s duo Cicci Santucci & Enzo Scoppa, as well recalling both Mandrake of the 75’s experience and Archie Shepp at any time.

"Novo Esquema da Bossa" is a whole set of well flavoured and essential elements successfully fused together in a nowadays kinda style.

Quintetto X and their sounds are definitely fed by these loves "with fists in the pocket" (with ref. to Marco Bellocchio's movie "I Pugni in Tasca")".