Jazz in Italian Cinema: Remastered Original Soundtracks

COMPOSERS: Chet Baker,Giorgio Gaslini,John Lewis etc
LABELS: Jazz on Film
ALBUM TITLE: Jazz in Italian Cinema
WORKS: Remastered Original Soundtracks
PERFORMER: Giorgio Gaslini, Chet Baker, John Lewis etc
CATALOGUE NO: JOF003 (vinyl only)

Italian cinema has an intriguing history, while the development of jazz in Italy is a direct reflection of a changing political and cultural environment in a period bracketed by the roots and aftermath of two world wars. The confluence of these two art forms during the late 1950s and early ’60s is demonstrated admirably on this enjoyable vinyl LP of thoroughly atmospheric music, running the gamut from cool intimacy to rumbustious big band arrangements.

There are a few familiar names to reassure the uncertain Anglo-Saxon jazz listener, such as Chet Baker, John Lewis and Giorgio Gaslini, while the accompanying notes and documentation do an excellent job of preparing the listener for the programme. This is the label’s first release on vinyl, and the sonic results only lose a star due to the vagaries of some of the source material; the remastering is faultless and the bombproof 180gm vinyl pressing is truly mellifluous.

Roger Thomas