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Step In: Voilà La Tendresse

By Karl Ackermann
June 28, 2021
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Step In is the international trio of Italian pianist

Carlo Morena

piano
b.1962

" data-original-title="" title="">Carlo Morena, Chilean drummer

Felix Lecaros

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Felix Lecaros, and the renowned New York bassist

Joe Fonda

bass
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Fonda. Morena and Fonda started playing together in 1990, later adding drummer

Jeff Hirshfield

drums
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeff Hirshfield and adapting the current trio name.

" data-original-title="" title="">George Schuller later replaced Hirshfield before Lecaros took over the throne. Voilà La Tendresse is their third album, but under two previous European labels, the group did not receive the exposure due to them. Now on the well-established Polish label, Not Two Records, Step In has broader opportunities.

Morena has a Master's degree in Jazz Piano and studied with

Enrico Pieranunzi

piano
b.1949

" data-original-title="" title="">Enrico Pieranunzi and

Mulgrew Miller

piano
1955 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">Mulgrew Miller. A global jazz citizen, he has lived and worked in five countries and is now based in New York. In his three-plus decades as a pianist, he has worked with top international artists including

Kenny Wheeler

flugelhorn
1930 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Wheeler,

Enrico Rava

trumpet
b.1939

" data-original-title="" title="">Enrico Rava,

Paolo Fresu

trumpet
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Paolo Fresu,

Don Byron

clarinet
b.1958

" data-original-title="" title="">Don Byron,

Charlie Mariano

saxophone, alto
1923 - 2009

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

Dave Liebman

saxophone
b.1946

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Liebman, and

Alan Skidmore

saxophone
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">Alan Skidmore. Fonda is a composer, producer, and multi-media artist. Early in his career he had worked extensively with

Anthony Braxton

woodwinds
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Anthony Braxton,

Archie Shepp

saxophone, tenor
b.1937

" data-original-title="" title="">Archie Shepp,

Kenny Barron

piano
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Barron,

Wadada Leo Smith

trumpet
b.1941

" data-original-title="" title="">Wadada Leo Smith,

Dave Douglas

trumpet
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Douglas,

Bill Dixon

trumpet
1925 - 2010

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Dixon, and many other notable musicians. In recent years, he has released some innovative albums with

Barry Altschul

drums
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">Barry Altschul (3dom Factor),

Oliver Lake

saxophone
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">Oliver Lake,

Graham Haynes

cornet
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Graham Haynes and

Satoko Fujii

piano
b.1958

" data-original-title="" title="">Satoko Fujii. Lecaros is a promising drummer who has performed in sixteen countries on four continents.

The opening title track is a hard bop gem, and for those unfamiliar with Morena, it is an eye-opener. From a quiet, expressive start, the pianist builds a gospel-infused bridge to a wild fourteen-minute romp. The interactions are generous with Fonda and Lecaros on fire when the trio comes together. There are subtle moments on Voila La Tendresse such as the waltz-like "Often" and "M?glichkeiten" where Lecaros' crashing cymbals counter Morena's lyricism. Fonda has a striking extended solo to kick off "Japan," a tribute to

Paul Bley

piano
1932 - 2016

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Bley. The album closes in the vein it began in; it slowly unfolds into infectious grooves and intense, lyrical melodic lines.

There is a springing spontaneity in these seven compositions, all penned by Morena. Acutely melodic—often cinematic—the pieces are urbane and intensely rhythmic. Voilà La Tendresse is beautifully recorded with flawless balance, capturing the razor-sharp interactions among these improvisers.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Voilà la Tendresse; Often; M?glichkeiten; Japan 1; Dog with no name; I love music; Chorale.

Personnel

Carlo Morena

piano

Joe Fonda

bass

Felix Lecaros

drums

Album information

Title: Voilà La Tendresse | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Not Two Records

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