Press
Bold Canadian drummer Ernesto Cervini exemplifies "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee"
Cervini's quick-witted commentary, almost comical percussive flurries and unpredictable bomb-drops are allied to a liquid ride-cymbal beat...
Cervini has a clever compositional style that finds perfect expression in the warm, roving lines of saxophonist Joel Frahm, Cervini's well chosen foil.
A woodpecker worthy solo of taps, dribbles and rolls opens the title track, Cervini turning drums into a rainforest symphony, soon accompanied by his group's excellent interplay.
4 stars
Wit and wisdom are doled out in equal measure throughout many of drummer Ernesto Cervini's compositions...his music always comes across as smart, with an occasional tongue-in-cheek element at play.
On Little Black Bird, Cervini serves up eight of his own delectable musical dishes...and these pieces highlight his talent with the pen, his skill behind the kit, and the remarkable versatility of saxophonist Joel Frahm.
Cervini's mid-track solo is a brilliant display of his mastery...
The quartet finds the right balance of seduction and paranoid intensity...and it's easy to get sucked into its sound and ever-deepening groove.
With talent this big and music this magical, the only thing "little" about this album is the title.
Clean, bouyant playing...effervescent swing...sharp composer and bandleader.
Ernesto Cervini has produced a gem of a record.
The music on "Little Black Bird" reveals the promise of a sophisticated intellect that is serious and funny, inventive, childlike and mature at once.
The main attraction is the absolute purity of song and the fluid structure of each of the originals.
All of Cervini's music has a striking architecture and yet has the elastic spontaneity that makes this music ever evolving and inviting.
Together these musicians bring something special to this memorable record.
Drummer Ernesto Cervini plays with such conviction and fire that it's easy to give him your ears and time.
Crisp cymbal work, punchy toms and impeccably timed snare shots power his limber quartet.
"Jimmy Rey" features fluid interaction between Cervini and pianist Adrean Farrugia, their back-and-forth gestures beathtakingly quick.
The knotty "Seven Claps" is a showstopper with everybody really digging it in.
Little Black Bird bears repeated listening.
It's quite enthralling when the band is playing flat out, with Cervini and bassist Jon Maharaj providing lots of forward momentum and Frahm or pianist Adrean Farrugia or both unfurling fiery, uninhibited improvisations.
"Little Black Bird" features Frahm playing without any restrictions. He's in full flight, and the same can be said of Cervini, Maharaj and Farrugia.
"Coconut Bill" is a blues fashioned from a sinewy melody and plenty of syncopation. It's all splash and swing once Frahm starts soloing, and he's a master of long, lithe lines. Farrugia...approach(es) harmony in particular from interesting angles. Cervini...gets to indulge in some happy bashing.
There's no shortage of energetic, swinging music on "Little Black Bird."
A consummate percussionist, adding a creative spark to any ensemble he plays in
"Little Black Bird" playfully mix(es) uptempo post-bop with pop-inspired themes.
Joel Frahm - he's a fluid, individualistic soloist with a gritty tone...
"Little Black Bird" demonstrates the high level of musicality possessed by this excellent drummer...a very musical drummer.
The material on the album is original, creative and played with authority
One of the highlights is "Nonna Rosa", a haunting ballad played with a sensitivity and restraint that show a high level of maturity.
"Cononut Bill" shows that this group can really swing
It's kind of harder
To write smug, smart-ass haiku
When the disc is great
A talent worth watching. The disc sizzles from first song to last.
|
