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Zeno de Rossi / Shtik: The Manne I Love! (Vol. 1 & Vol. 2)

By Mark Corroto
December 21, 2010
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Zeno de Rossi / Shtik: The Manne I Love! (Vol. 1 & Vol. 2)

Drummer Zeno De Rossi's tribute to the late

Shelly Manne

drums
1920 - 1984

" data-original-title="" title="">Shelly Manne covers the valiant west coast drummer's contributions from swing to bebop, and from soundtracks to

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Zappa. Recorded over a two-year period, this double-disc set incorporates varying ensembles and diverse styles into an inexhaustible homage to a neglected jazz hero.

Shtik'sprevious release—Me'or 'Einayim (El Gallo Rojo, 2007)—combined Rossi's two loves: jazz and Jewish music, not unlike the NY Downtown crowd. Here his group covers both Manne compositions and tunes associated with the drummer's extensive sideman work with artists including

Sonny Rollins

saxophone
b.1930

" data-original-title="" title="">Sonny Rollins ("I'm An Old Cowhand"),

Ornette Coleman

saxophone, alto
1930 - 2015

" data-original-title="" title="">Ornette Coleman ("Lorriane"),

Tom Waits

piano and vocals
b.1949

" data-original-title="" title="">Tom Waits ("Pasties And G-String"), and "

Lee Konitz

saxophone, alto
1927 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Lee Konitz ("Subconscious Lee"). Manne also played with

Coleman Hawkins

saxophone, tenor
1904 - 1969

" data-original-title="" title="">Coleman Hawkins,

Charlie Parker

saxophone, alto
1920 - 1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Parker,

Raymond Scott

b.1908

" data-original-title="" title="">Raymond Scott,

Stan Kenton

piano
1911 - 1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Stan Kenton, before his later TV and movie soundtrack work.

De Rossi's take on Manne is reminiscent of

John Zorn

saxophone, alto
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">John Zorn's tribute to Ennio Morricone on The Big Gundown (Nonesuch, 1986), where the Downtown saxophonist/composer combined various musicians to salute the spirit of the noted film composer. Like Zorn, De Rossi chooses not to adhere to strict covers remakes, employing Daniele D'Agaro and Francesco Bigoni, on his cover of Sonny Rollins' trio session, Way Out West (OJC, 1957), as a two-tenor saxophone conversation, under which he applies his deft beats. Throughout the set, De Rossi's passionate playing is the constant—like Manne, always swinging and tasteful.

The highlights are almost too many to mention. Burt Bacharach's "Wives And Lovers" is lovingly rendered, with electric piano and Silvia Donati's vocals. Donati can also be heard on "The Thrill Is Gone," "All Of Me," and a farcical synthesizer rendition of "Fever." De Rossi's admiration for Zorn is heard in the

Masada

" data-original-title="" title="">Masada-sounding take on {{Jimmy Rowles}|' "Perk Up," as well as Coleman's "Lorraine." Throughout, De Rossi delivers a drum clinic. Accenting, driving, and swinging the tribute, he makes you want to dig in, dig?

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Track Listing

CD1: Sheldon; When We're Alone; All Of Me; La Mucura; Out On A Limb; Jubilation T. Cornpone; Lorraine; Pasties And G-String; Subconscious Lee; Perk Up; Zamar Nodad; Fever; Queen Of Humus. CD2: The Washington Twist; Un Poco Loco; The Thrill Is Gone; Flip; Victory Ball; I'm An Old Cowhand; Wives And Lovers; How About That; Africa; The Sound Effects Manne; Me And Some Drums; Mt Manne Shelly; Lost Life; Panama Limited; Take Your Clothes Off.

Personnel

Zeno De Rossi

drums

Zeno De Rossi: drums, balafon, percussion, prepared guitar, bongos; Danilo Gallo: bass; Alfonso Santimone: piano, vibes, Korg MS-10 analog synth, Fender Rhodes, Farfisa organ, upright piano, Vox organ; Achille Succi: clarinet, bass clarinet; Paolo Botti: banjo, viola; Mauro Ottolini: tuba, trombone; Enrico Terragnoli: guitar, acoustic bass guitar, electric bass; Daniele D'Agaro: tenor sax; Gerhard Gschl??l: trombone; Francesco Bigoni: tenor sax; Stefano Senni: bass; Silvia Donati: vocals; Nicola Fazzini: alto sax; Alessandro "Asso" Stefana: guitar, ring modulator; J. Kyle Gregory: trumpet; Vincenzo Vasi: vocals, theremin, electric bass; Simone Padovani: percussion; Claudia Bidoli: vocals; Pietro Senni: vocals; Nina Browarnik: vocals.

Album information

Title: The Manne I Love! (Vol. 1 & Vol. 2) | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: El Gallo Rojo Records

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