Stefano Bollani - Que Bom (2018) [Official Digital Download 24-bit/96kHz]

Italian piano genius Stefano Bollani's new Brazilian album QUE BOM building on the success of his successful album CARIOCA (2008), which sold over 70'000 copies. QUE BOM primarily consists of Bollani's own original tunes and distinctive melodies strongly influenced and informed by Brazilian music culture, which Bollani has always cherished since the very beginning of his rich, multifaceted crackerjack music making and dexterous playing. In QUE BOM - a genuine hymn to life marked by sparkling liveliness and (contagious) joy - Bollani is joined by the same outstanding rhythm section as in CARIOCA - Jorge Helder (db), Jurim Moreira (dr) and Armando Marçal (perc) - plus Thiago da Serrinha (perc), but here, in QUE BOM, also by the grand guest stars Caetano Veloso, João Bosco, Jaques Morelenbaum and Hamilton de Holanda.

The worlds of Italian and Brazilian music meet on Que Bom, pianist Stefano Bollani's masterful 43rd album. Bollani lets his songwriting do the brunt of the work, leading to an accessible project, that still shimmers with inventive moments. Bollani has a keen melodic sense that makes these songs immediately come alive. The opening song, "Sbucata da Una Nuvola," is a beautiful display of Bollani's talents with a two-part melody that begins with quick single notes before moving to chord changes to finish off the phrase. The happy go lucky yet sophisticated atmosphere, highlighted by Bollani's use of the Cuica, a Brazilian percussion instrument known for a high pitched squeak resembling laughter, brings to mind the work of pianist Vince Guaraldi, who had a similar ability to make the complicated sound fun. Bollani is not only interested in musical perfection, as he occasionally throws in bits of dissonance, medicine to make the spoonful of sugar taste even sweeter. "II Gabbiano Ischitano," featuring the tremendous Brazilian cellist Jaques Morelenbaum, excels by being simple. Bollani's unaccompanied piano maps out the basic chord progression and melody of the piece, before Morelenbaum's delicate, bowed cello playing comes in. Morelenbaum's measured and elegant accompaniment is a highlight of the song, sticking out in the mix but never overpowering the other instruments.

One of the attributes of Que Bom that make it work is how Bollani brings in outside elements to his songs, adding variation that keeps the five-piece combo sounding fresh throughout the album's 1 hour and 12 minute run time. The funky "Uomini e Polli" is assisted by a lively horn section that perfectly complements drummer Jurim Moreira's syncopated drum pattern. Vocal tracks like "La Nebbia a Napoli," and "Michelangelo Antonioni" featuring Brazilian legend Caetano Veloso, offer a nice change of pace, adding flavor to the instrumentals surrounding them. Veloso is most known as an architect of the Tropicália movement that fused the avant-garde and Brazilian mainstream, and his constrained vocal performances fit these songs perfectly. He plays to the song, instead of aiming to show off his own virtuosity. "Michelangelo Antonioni" is reminiscent of Veloso's experimental roots, his wordless moans getting his message across better than any lyrics could. Que Bom is a fantastic album that ranks among Bollani's best, which is saying something considering the amount of music the 46-year-old has made in his career. Come for the beautiful melodies and energetic rhythms, stay for the experimentation.

Tracklist:

01 - Sbucata da una nuvola
02 - Galapagos
03 - Certe giornate al mare
04 - La nebbia a Napoli (feat. Caetano Veloso & Jaques Morelenbaum)
05 - Habarossa
06 - Uomini e polli
07 - Ho perduto il mio pappagallino (feat. Hamilton de Holanda)
08 - Criatura dourada
09 - Michelangelo Antonioni (feat. Caetano Veloso)
10 - Accettare tutto
11 - Ravaskia
12 - Olha a Brita
13 - Il gabbiano ischitano (feat. Jaques Morelenbaum)
14 - Aleijadinho lê o Codex Seraphinianus aquì
15 - Nação (feat. João Bosco)
16 - Que Bom

Produced by Stefano Bollani.
Recorded in December 2017 by Roberto Lioli at Estúdio Visom Digital, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.

Musicians:
Stefano Bollani - piano
Jorge Helder - double bass
Jurim Moreira - drums
Armando Marçal - percussion
Thiago da Serrinha - percussion


Thanks to the Original customer!