With the release of the double album “In Action” released by the well established Kansas City label JMood Records, Italian pianist Robero Magris adds to his long and esteemed career another exciting European collaboration, this time teamed-up with three excellent jazz musicians from Croatia.
The band embarks on a varied program that features original material and a couple of standards written by Coltrane, Shorter, Tyner, Lateef, Washington/Young, Smith along with two Sun Ra’s compositions less re-visited by jazz musicians. The energy of the album suggests a live performance full of joy and the freshness of the moment.
Roberto Magris puts his stamp as composer, arranger, playing acoustic and electric piano, Hammond organ and even…Mexican whistles, getting in the spotlight with spirited solos, interacting with the band members, stepping back to let others shine.
Unforgettable is the warm and ample introduction followed by a lively interaction with the saxophone with a jazz rock scent on Il Mare il Fiume composed my Magris.
Anoher highlight is the soulful exchange between Roberto Magris and Karlo Ilić, electric guitar on ‘Double Matrix.
Denis Razz is at his best delivering a series of exciting interventions in which his energy catalyzes the entire group who join him with frenzy on the captivating version of Wayne Shorter’s Black Nile.
The album excells in lyrical moments of great finesse, such as the warm ballad composed by McCoy Tyner You Taught My Heart to Sing.
On Echoes from the Depths Rajko Ergić contributes a compelling soprano sax improvisation over the mysterious background provided by Magris on the keyboards. Also notable is the version of Left Alone a beautiful ballad in which Magris excels adding lyrical twists in full harmony with Razz’s inspired sax.
The two discs of this album, rich in high-class jazz moments, demonstrate so wonderfully that jazz and musical creation, have no borders, the sensibilities of the four musicians complement each other so harmoniously that the result is not only delightful but above all is touching the soul.
