One of the few labels that still has an identifiable sound, Leo Record brings form the free vibes of Sergio Armaroli in two settings.
The first is a trio of solo vibe performances, a three part “Density” suite lasting 43 ½ minutes. All sections have a graceful wind chime appeal, with Armaroli sustaining the roll of the mallets like a breeze rustling through a house by the ocean. There are a few changes in dynamics, but the overall mood is akin to ambience created by Waterford Crystal.
When he mixes and matches with trombonist Giancarlo Schiaffini or Harri Sjostrom on the soprano/sopranino saxes, things get a little frisky. The album is divided into ten “More” themes, ranging form a concise just under two minutes to a nineteen minute opus. It’s practically impossible to tell the difference between SJostrom’s soprano in altissimo or his sopranino in regular pitch, as both do a lot of squealing and squawking throughout. Schiaffini’s trombone plunges lower than Jane Mansfield’s neckline as on “More 1” with Sjostrom creating duck calls with the trombonist on “3”, “4” and “6”. The bops a bit on “ 2” and gets eerie on the shadowy “7”. Less is more.