FEDERICO CALCAGNO & THE DOLPHIANS “Face the Music”

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ARTIST

Federico Calcagno & The Dolphians

ALBUM TITLE

“Face the Music”

LABEL

Da Vinci Jazz

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The group that first revealed its remarkable potential with From Another Planet (EMME Records) in 2019 returns in outstanding form, further strengthened by the definitive artistic maturation of its leader. What emerges is a musical environment deeply infused with the energy of constant collective interaction, one that appears to recognise neither geographical nor stylistic boundaries, and certainly no limits of imagination or creative ambition.

The guiding principle behind the Dolphians is one of synthesis and connection. Face the Music is conceived as a bridge between worlds, bringing coherence to a layered and complex body of material that encompasses avant-garde practices, world music influences, jazz language, hip-hop culture, echoes of Frank Zappa and the unmistakable pulse of contemporary creativity.

Calcagno’s remarkable clarity of vision and leadership – qualities that have rightly earned him widespread recognition – never overshadow the contributions of a truly exceptional ensemble, composed of outstanding musicians and equally impressive guests.

What is especially striking is the courage and sense of responsibility displayed by this generation of young musicians – a generation that one is tempted to describe as heroic. Consequently, the album is far from lacking in substance. “Lutto Nazionale” addresses the condition of younger generations compelled to seek opportunities elsewhere. “Terra Liberata” is dedicated to Fawad Andarabi, the Afghan musician murdered by the Taliban because of his devotion to traditional music. “Children of Gaza” speaks for itself.

Yet all these themes remain inseparable from the music itself, which is constantly alive, dynamic and pulsating. The music grooves relentlessly while remaining inventive in both conception and execution, drawing its strength from a rich polyrhythmic foundation. The result is a continuous flow of energy that never loses momentum and ultimately arrives at an ideal return to its origins with Eric Dolphy’s “Mandrake”.

This is an essential album – powerful, ambitious and artistically significant, yet at the same time immensely enjoyable from beginning to end.

Sandro Cerini

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