Truly a magnificent album from a new group that have in a short time together created a musical soundscape of continuous dialogue and interaction.
ECM 2868 / 578 1266
Enrico Rava (Trumpet, Flugelhorn); Matteo Paggi (Trombone); Francesco Diodati (Guitar); Francesco Ponticelli (Double Bass); Evita Polidoro (Drums, Vocals); Joe Lovano (Tenor Saxophone)
Recorded July 2025, Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone, Rome
Corners is an excellent debut album for ECM for Enrico Rava’s band Fearless Five, and if the band’s name appears familiar, it is because they are named after one of Rava’s compositions from his 1978 album Enrico Rava Quartet (ECM 1122). Comprised of a group of Italian musicians who, with the exception of Francesco Diodati, had not played with the trumpeter until the opportunity presented itself with an impromptu concert in 2022. Rava immediately recognised the potential of the collective and set about keeping the group together, and his efforts have been rewarded in this fine album.
In a departure from his usual way of preparing material for a recording or band, Rava has encouraged all of the members of the group, all bandleaders in their own right, to contribute compositions and this has given the album a diversity that is utterly compelling yet also sits comfortably as a coherent group statement.
This coherence has much to do with the empathy and ability to listen of all the participants, and the sensitive arrangement of each composition. The album opens with Enrico Rava’s ‘Certi Angoli Segreti’ that demonstrates the elegant way in which the music is organised with excellent solos from special guest Joe Lovano, trombonist Matteo Paggi and the leader himself. If I have been unable to make a connection with Diodati’s guitar solo on this piece, it says more about me than it does about the guitarist, as his playing on the other eight titles is flawless, sublime and engaging.
The music is packed with detail that can often catch the listener by surprise such as the exquisite vocal performance of Evita Polidoro on her own ‘Le Mie Gambe’ and wordless vocals on ‘Hitchcock on the Beach’ and improvised ‘Tone, Shape and Colours’. All of which is to take nothing away from her prowess at the drums, as her touch, technique and awareness of just what the music requires at any given moment is exceptional.
With the three horn front line there is much for each composer to get their teeth into, with some superb ensemble playing from which there are frequent dialogues and exchanges of lead voice, just check out the conversation between Rava and Paggi on ‘Sun Rava’ and the way bass and drums lock into a groove on ‘Bowery Dance’; and not forgetting the sublime performance from Joe Lovano on ‘Ça va sans dire’ and the closing ‘Mamma’.
Truly a magnificent album from a new group that have in a short time together created a musical soundscape of continuous dialogue and interaction.
