ECHOES

PORTFOLIO | OUTSIDE INSIDE STUDIO 

Photo by ©Matt Bordin

REVIEWS

This album features 13 tracks with unique timbral content ranging from experimental to minimal, from a simple dialog to a complex overlay of sounds. Andrea Centazzo plays percussion, MalletKAT, and sampling. Sergio Armaroli plays vibraphone (also prepared vibraphone) and marimba. 

It is not noted if any of the 13 tracks are published; however, it is assumed that each track is a collaborative improvisational composition. The overall effect of the first three tracks (“Echoes from A Cage #1,” “Walt is Lonesome,” and “Cosmic Echoes #1”) is one of slow, pensive, tonal background music for a “space” journey. Track 4, “Echoes from A Cage #2,” contrasts the opening three compositions with its unusual “gong”-like timbres, creating an almost melodic minimalistic effect. 

“Cosmic Echoes” features fragmentary melodic cells on the vibraphone accompanied by tasteful ringing gongs. This 17-minute work sounds like floating in space. “Echoes from A Cage #3” creates timbres that are like an homage to John Cage’s conceptual style of a variety of background ostinatos accompanying a baritone voice utilized as a non-lyrical function (somewhat like a nondescript vocal scat sound). 

“Echoes from Far East #1” establishes a set of layers from the marimba with a prepared vibraphone, highlighted by improvisatory melodic fragments from a sampled MalletKAT with an almost pentatonic basis. “Echoes from A Cage #1” utilizes the vibraphone performing an eclectic jazz-fusion work layered with muted gongs and other subdued metallic accompaniment. “Choral Echoes #1” features the marimba in a four-mallet chorale accompanied by suspended cymbal rolls and occasional membraned percussion. “Echoes from the Far East” uses membraned percussion with marimba in a groove-like ostinato transitioning to a pentatonic vibraphone melody. This track is quite accessible in its tuneful content and quite relaxing in its repetitive structure. The ending of this track is sudden and almost like a half cadence. “Echoes from A Cage #3” is very dense and complex harmonically, with the vibraphone opening with an unusual chord progression. The opening passages evolve into fragmentary melodic cells on the vibraphone that permeate the percussive accompaniment. 

“Echoes from Far East #2” showcases groove-like tabla sounds accompanying a marimba with pivotal suspended cymbal sounds that provide smooth links from one section to another. “Choral Echoes #2” is the final track. The summary timbral ending is one of imprecise conclusion, leaving the listener wanting more. 

This CD is unique, and the musicianship of both performers is superb. Congratulations to Andrea Centazzo and Sergio Armaroli for their dedicated work and collaborative, improvisatory sensitivity and musical dialogue. 

// di Guido Michelone //

Doppio Jazz ha di recente intervistato il grande drummer friulano, talvolta rimosso o snobbato da taluni critici italiani: ma si tratta in realtà di un autore a 360 gradi, da sempre impegnato in svariate attività creativi e intellettuali: tra l’altro proprio di recente è uscito un suo libro autobiografico redatto a quattro mani con il vibrafonista Sergio Armaroli dal titolo Bacchette magiche. Conversazioni e divagazioni sulla percussione, l’arte, la vita per il prestigioso editore leccese Manni. Con Doppio Jazz è stata una conversazione-fiume, ragion per cui si è pensato di spezzettare il dialogo registrato e di proporlo di agili articoli tematici, a cominciare da questo, focalizzato sul rapporto tra lui e le arti visive.

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