Maurizio Giammarco Heart Quartet - Inside (1993)

Tenor and soprano saxophonist Maurizio Giammarco isn't a bad player; he's just a derivative one. His lines, phrases and solos throughout this 10-track date are nicely constructed and played with a good mix of zeal and harmonic excellence. He just doesn't have an original sound or style, but then the same holds true for pianist Mauro Grossi, bassist Piero Leveratto and drummer Andrea Melani; they rip through chord changes and perform in a highly professional fashion. But like many of their American hard bop brethern, they have yet to distinguish between facility and vitality.