Federica Colangelo’s mind must truly be a wondrous place. Oscillating between cultures and decades, the renowned Italian pianist and composer has developed an unconventional and fringe body of work, a boundary-pushing musical journey that borrows from the jazz traditions as much as it does from classical music and South-Indian Carnatic rhythms. The listening experience is refreshing and witty, with Colangelo striking the perfect balance between technical prowess and melodic sensibility.
‘Forward’ is the latest foray in such uncharted waters, an album that reads like a statement of intent, always offering the user something to discover and cherish. The Italian talent is not new to such explorations, having previously released three like-minded albums, ‘Private ‘Enemy’, ‘Chiaroscuro’, and ‘Endless Tail’. Operating through the collective moniker Acquaphonica, Colangelo has effectively grown a plastic ensemble that fearlessly shifts and evolves with the times, never forgetting the project’s ultimate goal.
In that regard, ‘Forward’ doesn’t disappoint. Over seven crepuscular episodes, the record uncovers a cross-cultural itinerary that welcomes all kinds of treasures, from Federica’s feathery piano solos to BC Manjunath’s traditional Indian percussion, passing through Giovanni Nardiello’s brushed drums and Igor Legari’s ominous double bass. Whichever way you look at it, ‘Forward’ is an album that looks ahead, far into the horizon, constantly asking the ultimate question: where’s the limit?
Recommended! Discover ‘Forward’ on Bandcamp: