Bani Ahead
	Produced by Slivovitz
	Released on October 18, 2011
	no chart information
	Find it at GEMM
MJR039 cover [high resolution scan]

K ronomyth 3.0: BANI, THE BOMB. I thought their last album was good (and I was right because I’m always right and tall and virtuous and clean), but Bani Ahead is even better. The addition of trumpeter Ciro Riccardi brings The Grand Wazoo comparisons to the fore even more than before, while the Marcello Giannini compositions balance the Balkan raucity with Metheny-modeled melodies and soft watercolors. The compositions of Santangelo and Giannini create an interesting push-and-pull dynamic and ensure that Bani Ahead never strays too deep into avant-jazz edginess or sentimental fuzziness. On Hubris, I was impressed by how different everything sounded. On this album, I’m impressed by how consistent the band sounds. There isn’t a bad track on here (the spaceholder “Opus Focus” is the closest thing to a miss), and quite a few good ones. The opening Egyptian (in theme) pair in particular (about the point it made) had me thinking of “Eat That Question,” and Giannini uncovers lovely melodies on “02-09” and the closing “Pocho.” The band’s unconventional “horn” section--which actually consists of sax, trumpet, harmonica and violin--is sublime at times. Set your watch to “Fat,” “Vascello” and “02-09” and you’ll hear what I mean. Moonjune’s taste for unusual fusion has unearthed some interesting finds from around the globe (simakDialog, Moraine, Slivovitz), and Bani Ahead might be the best of these (it’s down to this and Tohpati Ethnomission’s Save The Planet). If you’re one of those Zappa fans who, like me, is more likely to dig out Hot Rats, Burnt Weeny Sandwich or The Grand Wazoo than Joe’s Garage, there’s some great music ahead of you here.

TRACK LISTING

1. EGIZIACA    (Pietro Santangelo)    6:57
2. CLEOPATRA THROUGH    (Pietro Santangelo)    5:23
3. FAT    (Domenico Angarano)    5:03
4. VASCELLO    (Marcello Giannini)    6:05
5. 02-09    (Marcello Giannini)    5:37
6. OPUS FOCUS    (Pietro Santangelo, arr. by Marcello Giannini/Pietro Santangelo)    3:51
7. BANI AHEAD    (Pietro Santangelo)    5:20
8. POCHO    (Marcello Giannini)    5:51
   
   All tracks arranged by Slivovitz unless noted
   

CREDITS

DOMENICO ANGARANO -- bass guitar
DEREK DI PERRI -- harmonica
MARCELLO GIANNINI -- guitar
SALVATORE RAINONE -- drums
CIRO RICCARDI -- trumpet
PIETRO SANTANGELO -- tenor and soprano sax
RICCARDO VILLARI -- violin
Peppe de Angelis -- mixing, live ribbon delay (1)
Daniele Chiarello -- engineer
Leonardo Pavkovic -- executive producer, graphics
cyoptikaf -- artwork

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