CADENCE MAGAZINE (New York) - Gennaio 2006
Is exactly the kind of recording that gets missed, perhaps since the Italian Jazz Ensemble is a 7tet made up entirely of new names to me. And yet what a find ! The record is infected with the lilt and joy of Italian melody, but it swings ferociusly, and at times it can offer up a touch of the chaos that gave Mingus arrangements their verve and fire. Part of the magic is in Bepi D'Amato's clarinet, which brings something a little traditional but never derivative to the band's sound, and his Buddy De Franco Bop adds a fresh voice to the more familiar brass and reeds in the ensemble. On Bernie's Tune he can evoke Goodman, but when it comes to a standout composition like "Grazie dei Fiori", you can tell he's heard Don Byron too. Michele Carrabba has a raspy tone on the tenor sax, emphasizing the bottom end (he also uses the bari sax to good effect on several cuts).
Larry Franco covers the keyboards duties, but most of all he adds his swinging vocals. His voice has just a trace of ash and smoke, and his ear is perfect for scatting, so his tastefully restrained vocals are a true highlight, without ever taking over center stage from the ensemble. Is indeed the kind of recording you hope to find every time you crack open a CD from Italy.  Highly recommended.  
Phillip McNally