Italocarioca

Recorded and mixed in October 2021, mastered in 2022, at Artesuono Recording Studios, Cavalicco (Udine), Italy, by Stefano Amerio. «Italocarioca» is the fourth album as leader by Venetian saxophonist Nagual, alias Giovanni Ancorato, the third one released through Caligola after «Quintessenze» and the recent «Sketches» (between those works, «Private Dancer» was released through Alfa Music). The album is an excellent blend of MPB and jazz, almost an attempt to revive Getz, Gilberto and Jobim’s bossa nova with instruments only. The work also expresses Nagual’s genuine love for Brazilian musical heritage which had already surfaced in various tracks on «Sketches». It’s a tribute to Brazil with attention to every detail, including the musicians chosen to create a solid, close–knit group. It’s priceless the support given by versatile, creative pianist Paolo Vianello, guitarist Stefano Scutari, a Venetian as well – his cavaquinho in the joyous final track Yoyo is remarkable – as well by a wonderful couple, the “Brazilians of Italy” Paolo Andriolo – among other things, he’s bassist in the trio of singer Bianca Gismonti, daughter of celebrated Egberto – and Roberto Rossi, perhaps the most sought–after Italian percussionist in this musical genre. The quintet plays in harmony with the leader who puts aside the soprano sax on this album and only plays tenor sax, highlighting a deep, yet soft and delicate sound. In the excellent cantabile Carnaval’s theme, Nagual even seems to pay a tribute to Gato Barbieri, a relevant inspiration for his generation, and today unfairly overlooked by most young