Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Peter DiCarlo: The Other Side

Peter DiCarlo: The Other Side

By Jack Bowers
March 5, 2024
View read count

The Other Side is the second album by New York City-bred alto saxophonist

Peter DiCarlo

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter DiCarlo who now lives and works in Izmir, Turkey. Unlike the first, which was emphatically straight-ahead, this one blends elements of fusion and traces of a Turkish accent within DiCarlo's usual plain- spoken approach.

Even so, the album's seven numbers—six written and all arranged by DiCarlo—would not be out of place in any anthology of contemporary straight-ahead jazz, as he seems unable to break free from his more traditional roots even while striving to make changes and move on. In other words, there is far more

Jackie McLean

saxophone, alto
1932 - 2006

" data-original-title="" title="">Jackie McLean,

Lou Donaldson

saxophone
1926 - 2024

" data-original-title="" title="">Lou Donaldson,

Sonny Criss

saxophone, alto
1927 - 1977

" data-original-title="" title="">Sonny Criss and

Charles McPherson

saxophone, alto
b.1939

" data-original-title="" title="">Charles McPherson in DiCarlo's perspective and phrasing than there is, say,

Ornette Coleman

saxophone, alto
1930 - 2015

" data-original-title="" title="">Ornette Coleman or

Eric Dolphy

woodwinds
1928 - 1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Eric Dolphy.

DiCarlo is aided and abetted by a trio of first-class Turkish sidemen, pianist

Uraz Kivaner

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Uraz Kivaner, bassist

Ozan Musluoglu

bass
b.1977

" data-original-title="" title="">Ozan Musluoglu and drummer Ferit Odman. There seems to be no shortage of jazz talent even in countries not generally associated with the genre; music schools may have a lot to do with that. Whatever the reason, DiCarlo's teammates are well-versed in the basics of jazz and know how to play it. Close your eyes, open your ears and this could well be an all-American quartet.

The group opens with the title track, an enticing high-octane blues which leads to the similarly animated "Fluffy Cloud," on which DiCarlo, Kivaner and Odman display impressive solo chops. The tempo slows on the even-tempered "Yesterday's Tomorrow" before easing into a pleasant mid-range groove on "Ever You Need Me," written for DiCarlo by long-time friend and colleague

Francesca Prihasti

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Francesca Prihasti, and "Do Dat," inspired by the leader's visit to the ancient city of Ephesus in western Turkey.

The jazz component is front and center on the prancing "Little Footsteps," written by DiCarlo for his five-year-old daughter, Aurelia, and on the seductive "Last Morning," composed on the beach in Antalya, Turkey, during a late-night practice session. Bassist Musluoglu solos smartly on the last two numbers, punctuating resolute statements by DiCarlo and Kivaner. Brushing aside locale and lineage, this is a very good quartet, and The Other Side is a very good album, enhanced not only by DiCarlo's burnished alto saxophone but by unwavering support from his admirable Turkish teammates.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

The Other Side, Fluffy Cloud, Yesterday��s Tomorrow, Ever You Need Me, Do Dat, Little Footsteps, Last Morning

Personnel

Peter DiCarlo

saxophone, alto

Uraz Kivaner

piano

Ozan Musluoglu

bass

Ferit Odman

drums

Album information

Title: The Other Side | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Shifting Paradigm Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Irakere 50 at SFJAZZ Center
< Previous

Out to Lunch Tribute, Nancy Wilson, ...
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.