For its second release, this fascinating ensemble chose to record two extended suites by band members Bruno Tommaso and Giorgio Gaslini. Tommaso's "Il Maestro Muratore" (The Master Mason), inspired by the Sardinian sculptor Constantino Nivola, begins superbly with a spirited romp based on a Sardinian folk dance and featuring high-wire soloing by trumpeter (and founder) Pino Minafra and Carlo Actis Dato on bass clarinet.
Mamma Non Piangere was a relatively unknown RIO band heading from Italy in the late 70's, and released two albums during their short-lived career. They formed in Milan around 1978 by guitarist/violinist Lorenzo Leddi, who also was the only member to be featured on both of their albums. They disbanded shortly after the release of their second album, which was recorded live shortly after the release of their debut album and had a completely different line-up other than Leddi's presence. The reason why they disbanded are temporarly unknown. Musically, they are heavily reminiscent of bands such as Henry Cow, Gruppo D'alternativa, Stormy Six and other bands notable from the RIO genre, spiced with their own unique twist which implies their sense of unique, unusal and eclectic instrumentation, songwriting and arrangements.
The single piece by Cecil Taylor lasts an hour. It was recorded during the second of two concerts given to celebrate the first ten years of the Italian Instabile Orchestra. This was part of the Talos Festival in Ruvo di Puglia, in Southern Italy, on September 10, 2000. From the sounds of an orchestra warming up, to a subdued conclusion that rumbles deeply and insignificantly, Taylor’s piece takes his audience on a journey through scenery that changes gradually and often. Indistinct human voices can be heard along the way; so can the sounds of trumpet valves clacking, saxophone keys tapping, reed mouthpieces chattering, brass mouthpieces kissing, and tympani rolling along.