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CD
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RR 123169CD
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"The name Nexus was chosen by Daniele Cavallanti, whose tenor saxophone is accompanied by trumpet, trombone, double bass and drums. The Nexus version of this instrumental ensemble features Pino Minafra on trumpet, Luca Bonvini on trombone, Paolino Dalla Porta on double bass and Tiziano Tononi on drums (and percussion). Among those who are immediately the two main poles of the group, Cavallanti, of course, and Tononi, the harmony -- despite their differences (or rather, perhaps precisely because of these, given their shared idea of making music, far from any stale clichés) -- is almost instantaneous. Curiously, both started out on the drums, but then one, at the age of fourteen, switched to the saxophone, while the other, more attracted to the world of rock at least throughout his high school years, did not move on, embracing instead an increasingly generous range of percussion instruments, especially those of ethnic origin, primarily African. The work is as vital as ever, full of strong, affirmative moods and colors, with all the jazz that could be defined as post-Mingusian, but not without emblematic archaic reminiscences. The crackling colors of marching bands, certain 'fat' mutes by Minafra reminiscent of Ellington's jungle style, Bonvini's generous trombone, reminiscent of Roswell Rudd and Kid Ory. Between coordinates reminiscent of Ornette Coleman and Ayler, the four original tracks from the first edition released in 1983 are complemented by an unreleased track from the same session, 'Clown's Crown,' almost nine minutes by Cavallanti, who opens it on the tenor saxophone, positioning himself at the almost perfect (equidistant) confluence between Ayler and Shepp, reaffirming how deeply a certain lesson belongs to the DNA of the group."
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LP
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BS 076LP
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Since the early 1980s, the Nexus creature has represented one of the most interesting realities of the Italian jazz scene. Daniele Cavallanti (Aktuala) and Tiziano Tononi (Moon On The Water/D.O.M Alia Orchestra) realize a sensational mix of orchestral praxis and impro-free jazz. The strength lies in the ensemble's variety of timbres, in that precise hybrid of styles reminiscent of the cross-sectional experiences of the 1970s of Zappa, Henry Cow, or Charles Mingus. Thus, electrifying phrasing, the most hermetic breaks in the plot prevail, which are sublimated, however, in a skillful balance between recognizable themes and more radical instrumental drifts. The choral openings of the woodwinds and the more abstract rhythmic trajectories of Tononi's drums, the abrupt swings of the vibraphone and drums, and the confusing, sparkling inserts of the violin are the dominant features. The drama of the sound also touches more spiritual-jazz peaks, evoking the sad story of the slave trade. Noura Tafeche's lysergic cover represents the transatlantic journey and the syncretic history that gave birth to jazz culture, this drawing takes its cue from the artwork of Mati Klerwein (Miles Davis, Santana). Poster cover.
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