Francesco Lomagistro & Berardi Jazz Connection - A New Journey (2014)

A New Journey is an apt title for the fourth album from Berardi Jazz Connection, as founding member Francesco Lomagistro has out together a new quintet for this new project. What remains the same is the natural feel for tunes that really groove drawing on jazz heritage from the 60s and 70s as well as other influences such as soul, funk and afro sounds.

The opening tune, Traffic Moods, is an upbeat number in fine Berard Jazz Connection style that gives a nod to hard bop tradition while sounding totally contemporary at the same time. The main riff is infectious with some very tight backing with some impressive piano and trumpet solos to boot.

As the title might suggest, Afro Tricks has something of an African influence, with some afrobeat-style drums as well as distinct jazz sensibilities, and there's some MCing from Demetrius MacKay aka The Surgeon. Definitely one of the high points on the set.

Before The Trips and Don't Stop The Sound are both swinging numbers that draw heavily from the hard bop sound with the twin horn lead, while Follow Me is a slightly mellower and darker tune in a more contemporary vein.

The quintet offer a groovy soul jazz interpretation of Pink Floyd's Money, with Madame Pat Tandy guesting on vocals. It's a cover that works surprisingly well, and forty years after the tune was written, the lyrics still seem to resonate.

Another track worthy of a mention is Today News, a great tune with some funky electric piano and an insistent bass line that dips into fusion territory.

A new line-up and a fresh beginning, A New Journey is an album that sees Francesco Lomagistro & Berardi Jazz Connection going from strength to strength. Well worth checking out.

Tracklist:

01. Traffic Moods
02. Afro Tricks (feat. The Surgeon)
03. The Dreamer Climber
04. Before the Trip
05. Follow Me
06. Money (feat. Madame Pat Tandy)
07. Today News
08. Fred
09. Don't Stop the Sound
10. 5431
11. Such a Shame (feat. Berardi Jazz Connection)