For their ninth release Bloom, the Italian free-fusion quartet Claudio Scolari Project shook things up again, this time by becoming a quintet.
The Claudio Scolari Project has always been a collaboration between two families — Scolari and Cavalca — with drummer Claudio Scolari and multi-instrumentalist Daniele Cavalca at its core. But now, the band has brought on board another Cavalca, the pianist, vocalist and sister Ilaria Cavalca. She joins Claudio and Daniele along with Claudio’s son Simone Scolari (trumpet) and Daniele’s brother Michele Cavalca (electric bass).
On “New Ground” you hear all the ingredients for this funk fusion gumbo gradually coalesce together; Ilaria makes her presence know right away as her piano, add an acoustic element to counter the mostly electric panoply and she is freed up to contribute more definition to the melody that ultimately emerges for these group jams.
“Unfolded Silence” is where Ilaria’s contribution really shakes things up for the group: for the first time we hear vocals on a CSP record. But she blends in well with the group concept, because she uses her voice as an improvising instrument right along everyone else.
“Whispers Of Life” is framed by Daniele’s programmed synth, allowing everyone to freely improvise, including Ilaria’s voice. Interestingly, adding her singing does nothing to clutter up the sonic chamber because everyone is so attuned to everyone else, the adjustment comes instinctively. A pretty piano motif defines “Twilight Serenade” while Ilaria’s haunting wordless vocal howls well in the background.
This group is still cooking up new tricks from their old members, though. “Velvet Currents” swings with abandon like few bands can because one drummer can lock down that tempo while the other drummer can make a lot of hay around it. In their signature style, each member adds their own flavor to it as they respond to each other, leaving behind a lot of space with no real constraints put on them apart from staying on tempo and on key.
Simone’s wandering trumpet on “Bloom” goes up against Daniele’s live synths in another clash of old school versus new school jazz. “Broken Thumb” leans into the old school side as piano takes center stage and Michele walks his electric bass to another 4/4 swing.
The Claudio Scolari Project has long made originative music by fearlessly taking chances every time the tape rolls. For Bloom they also took a chance by expanding the group and that, too, paid off.
Get Bloom now fromBandcamp.
- Claudio Scolari Project – ‘Bloom’ (2025) - June 12, 2025
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