Simone Basile
Morning Raga
Emme Record Label, 2022

Emme Record Label announces the release of Morning Raga, Simone Basile‘s third album.

In 2018, Simone Basile released his first album, Time, which was when I had the opportunity to get to know and to be particularly impressed by his music. When he released Wes Or No (2021) his skills and musicianship were confirmed.

A few days ago Emme Record Label released Morning Raga, a new album by Basile, here helped by Manuel Caliumi on alto sax, Enzo Carniel on piano and keyboards, Ferdinando Romano on double bass and Giovanni Paolo Liguori on drums.

I have a great love for the sound of 1970s jazz-rock, and this record somehow reminds me of that open and curious approach to exploring typical of the period, without completely reproducing it. “Morning Raga” is a beautiful modal composition full of energy, an emblematic synthesis of the entire album. The duet between guitar and sax of “Moak’s Shop” is particularly effective, while “Hamasadhwani is characterized by the sound of the Rhodes and the long unison lines of guitar and sax, which flow into a beautiful solo by Carniel.

“No War” is initially more oriented to avant-garde worlds, with a beautiful use of Basile’s effects, but turns into a delicate ballad around the 2 minute mark, with the double bass in the foreground. The short “Loading …” again demonstrates the leader’s intelligent use of sounds and effects, while “Macci 36” explores different atmospheres: the hard-bop theme full of breaks is followed by a delightful collective solo, with particularly effective timbres.

The last number “Remember” explores melancholy and minimal worlds, with a particularly interesting solo by the leader. Morning Raga is a personal, courageous, and particularly brilliant record. Basile confirms himself as a great talent in constant evolution, absolutely to be followed.
(EM)

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