Bassist Massimo Biolcati is best known for his work with guitarist Lionel Loueke, but he’s also built up an impressive catalogue of his own, this being the third one of him as a leader that I’ve taken in. He’s joined by his longtime partner Loueke and brings in the formidable support of pianist Aaron Parks and drummer Kendrick Scott for a collection of clever covers and impressive originals.
Biolcati shows the benefits of long musical associations here, as he works with almost an ESP intuition on his interplay with Loueke, creating dewdrops of tones on the delicate and deft read of a richly romantic “I Concentrate On You”, while getting earthy and African with the guitarist on a folksy “De Ton Pra Tom”. Scott’s brushes create soft sandstorms of impressionism on the dreamy “Emma’s Dilemma” and bring crisp sticks to the easy bopper “Electrodome”. Parks and Loueke get playful and prismatic on the bluesy “Easy Stries” and canter together under Biolcati’s crackling whip on a simmering “Kintsugi”. The wide range of tones, directions and deft interplay underscores the musical adage that much of musical success comes with listening. These guys are paying attention-you have to, or you’ll spin out and crash!