Cinema City
MPI, 2021
8/10
The revered vocalist Mafalda Minnozzi brings her stunning skills to this timeless jazz listen, where Tiago Costa (piano), Sidiel Vieira (acoustic bass), Ricardo Mosca (drums) and Paul Ricci (guitars) are in attendance, and there’s some special guests for the occasion, too.
“La Dolce Vita” opens the listen with warm keys and soulful brass complementing Minnozzi’s very sweet and unique pipes that scat in a very interesting fashion, and even whistle, too, and “Loss Of Love” follows with cozy guitar lines alongside expressive and romantic singing.
Further along, “Love Theme- Nuovo Cinema Paradiso” welcomes Dave Liebman on soprano sax in the dreamy climate, while Graham Haynes makes an appearance with electronic FX on the more dramatic and emotive “Amici Miei”. “Nella Fantasia”, the album’s best, then showcases Luca Aquino’s flugelhorn amid the gentle keys and delicate singing.
Inching towards the end, Jorginho Neto’s trombone adds much to the rich and poetic demeanor of “Arrivederci Roma”, and “Maturity- Nuovo Cinema Paradiso” exits the listen with a rare intimacy that illustrates Minnozzi’s gorgeous singing alongside twinkling keys and graceful piano.
Recorded in Brazil during the Covid lockdown, this is a very personal effort for Minnozzi, where her powerful, sublime and stylish delivery makes each track worthy of repeated listens.
Travels well with: Elena Maque- Feel Again; June Bisantz- 7 Shades Of Snow