Aldo Ortado

For a number of years, it has been my convinction that Music (and Art in general) must simply have the humble task of describing its own End, or at the very least, its slow dying out. … Misunderstandings are only created by those who, even unconsciously, think of music as a discourse, and thus, even unawares, as caricature of an arc that describes a useless orgasm. … Everything flows smoothly, even in total immobility. The reality that surrounds us already moves too fast to make us want to imitate it. The end naturally creates a sense of saturation and exhaustion, but it is never definitive: by way of a hopeless inurement, we immediately hasten into the infinite and the eternal.

Aldo Clementi, from sleeve text

At 18 tracks, this is a lot of Aldo Nova, especially since Nova is pretty much the province of early-'80s hard rock fetishists. Still, there's a reason why Nova has fans, and it's because his music was trippier and stranger than that of his peers, whether it was Billy Squier or Accept. As such, it has dated a little bit, but in a good way, since this has more character than a lot of early-'80s arena metal. That doesn't mean that this will satisfy listeners just looking for "Fantasy," but for those who like to dig a little deeper into this era, this is definitely worth a spin.

Under the Gun…A Portrait of Aldo Nova is a two disc compilation. Disc one features his first album remastered with a bonus track. The second disc features his second album plus five tracks from his third album and is not remastered.

Drummer/composers are a relatively rare breed in jazz, but Aldo Romano is one of the most gifted on the scene. With a baker's dozen musicians (including himself) and thoughtful arrangements by Lionel Belmondo, Romano creates a powerful sound with reeds, brass, and rhythm section, often emphasizing the ensemble more so than than soloists, starting with the lovely bittersweet "Silenzio," which sounds like it could have been written for a film soundtrack. Trumpeter Stefane Belmondo and pianist Eric Legnini are showcased in the driving bossa nova "Pasolini." The elegant, lyrical waltz "For Michel" and the graceful "Touch of a Woman" (the latter with Belmondo on flügelhorn) are also obvious highlights. Romano plays guitar, sings, and co-composed an Italian lyric with Yves Simon for his upbeat "Jazz Messengers." This is yet another rewarding date by Aldo Romano.

Chante is an exemplary cultivation of Aldo Romano's jardín of romantic songs. His poignant intimacy of feelings is genuinely conveyed in this stylish set of emotional songs replete with rhythmic waves, passionate lyrics, and beautiful music. With superb accompaniment from Nelson Veras on acoustic guitar, Rémi Vignolo on double bass, André "Dee" Ceccarelli on drums, Francesco Bearzatti on tenor saxophone and clarinet, Flavio Boltro on trumpet, and Baptiste Trotignon on piano, the pleasure you will derive from Romano's poetic expressions is priceless.

Chopin's Etudes Op. 10-3, Lullaby, Nocturne No. 2, No. 7, Waltz No. 2-15, No. 19, No. 18, Cello Sonata (w/Tortellier), etc. Recorded in 1957-1968.

Chante is an exemplary cultivation of Aldo Romano's jardín of romantic songs. His poignant intimacy of feelings is genuinely conveyed in this stylish set of emotional songs replete with rhythmic waves, passionate lyrics, and beautiful music. With superb accompaniment from Nelson Veras on acoustic guitar, Rémi Vignolo on double bass, André "Dee" Ceccarelli on drums, Francesco Bearzatti on tenor saxophone and clarinet, Flavio Boltro on trumpet, and Baptiste Trotignon on piano, the pleasure you will derive from Romano's poetic expressions is priceless.