Paul Ventimiglia - Il Bacio (1997)

Rarely has an album cover and title more inaccurately reflected the music it represents than on multi-faceted keyboardist Paul Ventimiglia's Il Bacio. A romantic Italian title which translates in English to "The Kiss" - and a pale brown-toned antique photograph of an old couple embracing simply have no connection to the slamming, high energy rock/funk/jazz/blues wallop Ventimiglia packs with the help of familiar genre names like Brandon Fields, Peter White, Gerald Albright and Carl Verheyen. The multi faceted disc is more like a potent bearhug from a group of aggressive old friends. Playful titles like "Garbanzo Beans" (featuring a frenetic Hammond B-3 solo) and "Weedy Wack" reflect the type of propulsive, free-for-all ensemble driven fusion Ventimiglia aims for half the time here; these are beautifully balanced by the composer's more whimsical orchestra-enhanced ideas on other tracks. While he allows his better known cohorts to take the lead voice as he lays down the groove and harmony much of the time, Ventimiglia's bright and jazzy performances on the melodies he does carry rank with that of any all-star in the genre. His romantic new age leanings emerge briefly on the title track. One of the most exciting discoveries of the year.