Giovanni Tommaso Quintet - Via G.T. (Remastered 2024) (1994) [Hi-Res]

Italian bassist Giovanni Tommaso has a knack for assembling talented groups. For this studio session, he brings together an all-star quintet of Italian hard bop musicians: a front line of trumpeter Paolo Fresu and alto saxophonist Massimo Urbani, and rhythm section cohorts Danilo Rea on piano, and Roberto Gatto on drums. The whole gels, as Urbani and Fresu produce the kind of lightening solos that have since brought them international critical acclaim.

Featuring all original compositions, six by Tommaso and one cowritten with Rea (Take the Money and...Spend it!), the solos throughout from each player are superb, Danilo Rea proving himself an adept powerhouse, and Tommaso holding it together with a solid backbone. In all, this is a compelling example of Italian hard bop.

Massimo Urbani: alto saxophone
Paolo Fresu: trumpet
Danilo Rea: piano
Giovanni Tommaso: bass
Roberto Gatto: drums

Recorded April 1986, RCA Studios, Rome
Remastered by Rinaldo Donati at Maxine Studio, Milano Italy.