There is a lot of talent in the huge
Songbook With String Orchestra production: among the 40 performers are 22 strings and such well-known Italian jazz stalwarts as trumpeter
Alberto Mandarini, saxophonist
Pietro Tonolo, and trombonist
Danilo Moccia. The two vocalists, the suave
Luca LaPenna (who contributed all the lyrics) and the silky-voiced diva
Maria Patti, are among the country's best. Unfortunately,
Giuseppe Emmanuele's syrupy, saccharine-drenched arrangements are aimed strictly at a commercial market, with little appeal to the serious listener, resulting in wonderful background music that would fit nicely on the many radio stations featuring jazz lite. Sometimes the musicians rise above the material, as on "Petals," sung gorgeously by
Patti with superb lyrical support from
Moccia. All of the pieces are originals by
Emmanuele, and most are largely forgettable. Still, for those whose tastes are simple and more commercially based, and who enjoy the sounds of so-called smooth jazz, there are bound to be plenty of moments that delight. This is the sort of fare that sounds best late at night, with candles aflame accompanied by a bottle of wine. For anything else it is touch and go. The detailed packaging does not include any liner notes but does include
LaPenna's insightful lyrics in both Italian and English.