Luca Alex Flores - Love for Sale (2003)

One of Italian keyboard virtuoso Luca Alex Flores' conspicuous special guests on this 1992 release is American modern jazz saxophonist David Murray who performs on several tracks along with Flores' fellow countrymen.

This rather vivacious affair commences with the leader's clever arrangement of Cole Porter's "Love for Sale" as Flores introduces an appeasing ostinato motif amid Murray's passionate blowing, the rhythm section's burgeoning yet unobtrusive support, a cool swing vamp, and flutist Nicola Stilo's sweet-tempered lines. Here and throughout, Stilo counterbalances the often-reverberating edge of the altogether brisk sequences and strong soloing by all. And as a soloist, Flores might reside somewhere between Thelonious Monk and Bill Evans, partly due to his acute utilization of space, tender chord voicings, and pursuance of odd-metered tempi.

Murray steers the band through an impassioned rendition of Duke Ellington's "In a Sentimental Mood," whereas trumpeter Fabio Morgera communicates sharp lyricism and airy leads during a quartet rendition yet animated and lightly swinging spin on Monk's "Ask Me Now." However, the band melds sober interludes with cheery themes on "Waltz for a Sad Day (2)" featuring Flores' tasty utilization of synths and guitarist Riccardo Bianchi's multifarious and at times cyclic leads as the musicians engage in fervent dialogue atop a bustling swing beat. Essentially, there is much to get excited about here as Flores' astute musical visions in conjunction with a hearty mix of originals, standards, and inventive soloing equates to a radiant outing, further enhanced by an observable touch of class.

Review by Glenn Astarita