Review: Michele Fattori + Marcello Sebastiani - Monks And The Third Man (Notami Jazz)

You've got to know what you're taking on if you take on a tribute project to Thelonious Monk, a jazz maverick in an era of mavericks, so what was Michele Fattori & Marcello Sebastiani thinking as a 8 track duo album - without piano!?

Well you can see why a duo that's already made a name for themselves as free/improvisational artists (see previous album 'Gavagai' that focused on Mingus and Miles) would want to 'test' themselves in the form of Thelonious Monk, a musician that was known as a man of time and space, black and white (keys), tune and angst; in short, a leader of jazz thinking and unthinking - jazz not jazz as someone once said.

With Fattori on electric guitar and Sebastiani on double bass they guide through versions of the hits/standards, 'About Round Midnight', two version of 'Blue Monk', 'Epistrophy' whilst ending on a Fattori composition, 'The Third Man Blues'.

Perhaps the biggest tribute is 'The Third Man Blues' as between guitar greats Grant Green, George Benson, Pat Methany, Wes Montgomery, James Blood Ulmar (and many more) and blues avant-garde.

If you are unware of Thelonious Sphere Monk, pianist/composer/legend, he hasn't been on this planet for over 20 years but his spirit and legacy are still with us, most notably as 'Straight No Chaser'. You can pick any of his albums to stand testiment to this. I recently got CDs of his 1961 tour to Japan from 1961: who was touring Japan in 1961? As a quartet!

And I suppose that's what Michele and Marcello have done in their own way as i. this is beautifully recorded, the sound is so sharp and clean: like lotus blossom (as it's springtime) and ii. in the words of a well known talent show host, they've made these tracks their own. Especially the opener 'Cantus' in their arrangement along with 'Reflections' and 'Pannonica' without going totally free.

'Epistrophy' works really well it's on the edge of discordant in harmony at the same time showcasing how well these two work as a duo; there might be a touch of Italian phasing in there too!

You'll recall that the label has previous with this 'tribute' style, as The Freestones' 

'Our Experience (Remembering Jimi Hendrix)' (see review HERE) but this new album is totally different to that and just as fitting, if not more so.  PS. Note, this 'Third Man' is nothing like the film theme.

Artist: Michele Fattori + Marcello Sebastiani 

Title:  Monks And The Third Man 

Release date: 3rd March, 2025

Label : Notami Jazz

Catalog Number : TBC

Format:  CD Edizioni NOTAMI

Review: The Freestones - Our Experience (Remembering Jimi Hendrix) (Notami Jazz)

We all know the genius that was uniquely Jimi Hendrix, oft. immitated but never equalled, but here's something of a homage plus in the form of jazz interpretations by The Freestones.

This album is more than just a clever title as The Freetones are more than capable of doing a note-for-note cover versions which is why they've arranged their own versions of some of the Hendrix catologue sometimes to the extent that you wouldn't recognise the classic rock trio roots owing much to the arrangements of Stefano Conforti (Soprano, Alto & Tenor Sax).

This is particularly true of the opening tracks 'Gipsy Eyes', 'Have You Ever Been', 'Third Stone From The Sun' and 'Angel' (co-arranged by the electric guitarist Tonino Monachesi) that move from the modal to Latin flavours and on 'Angel', can you faintly hear Jimi singing along?

The remaining band members are Giuseppe Barabucci (Double & Electric bass) and Marco Brandi (Drums) with Andrea Canzonetta (Trumpet, Flugelhorn) and Antonio Ciccotelli (French Horn) joining in on 'Gipsy Eyes' and the 'hits', 'Purple Haze', 'Hey Joe' and 'Them Changes' (the one Buddy Miles track from the 'Band Of Gypsys' evolution from the Experience').

Whilst you will immediately recognise 'Purple Haze' it's actually a funky arrangement by jazz-funk legend David Sanborn (who passed in May this year, RIP) and Marcus Miller.

Two of my favourite Hendrix tracks are 'The Wind Cries Mary' and 'Little Wing' and appropriately both arranged by Monachesi here.

These guys have clearly been immersed in the music of Jimi, if not the era, so whilst the title is clever, the nine tracks are even better.

Artist: The Freestones 

Title:  Our Experience (Remembering Jimi Hendrix)

Release date: 3rd January, 2025

Label : Notami Jazz

Catalog Number : TBC

Format:  CD Edizioni NOTAMI