Dio C'è

Albumbeschreibung

The debut solo album from alto saxophonist Randal Despommier, 2021's Dio C'è showcases his vibrant, cross-pollinated jazz style. Prior to recording the album, the New Orleans-bred Despommier studied at both Loyola University and the New England Conservatory, and spent time in Italy studying choral and sacred music. He also toured alongside pianist and Hammond B-3 specialist Jason Yeager for their 2018 collaboration All at Onceness. He brings all of this experience to bear on Dio C'è. Produced by Despommier with Yellowjackets bassist Jimmy Haslip, the album has an expansive feel that straddles the line between adventurous acoustic post-bop and sleek contemporary jazz. Along with Haslip (who appears on several tracks), Despommier is again joined by Yeager, as well as bassist Aaron Holthus and drummer Rodrigo Recabarren. Together, they play in a warm, lyrical style with Despommier's burnished sound evoking players like Paul Desmond and Art Pepper. This is especially true on tracks like dusky ballad "Almeno tu nell'universo" from the 2003 romantic drama Ricordati di me, where Despommier's textured and soulful playing brings to mind Pepper's latter-career work of the '70s and early '80s, after he'd absorbed the inventive harmonies and bluesy style of John Coltrane. At the core of the album is the ambitious title track, a mini-suite featuring vocalist Aubrey Johnson that blends gospel rhythms with blues, Gregorian chants, and classical choral sections. Equally far-reaching tracks pop-up throughout, including the groove-oriented "Brother Nature" and the ebullient, Al Jarreau-esque "SoHo Down" with Johnson. There's also a guest appearance by maverick guitarist Ben Monder, who applies his fiery chops to a Despommier's grunge-fusion cover of Stone Temple Pilots' "Big Empty." These are wildly ambitious, genre-mashing recordings that speak to Despommier's wide-ranging influences.
© Matt Collar /TiVo