BARFLY RECORDS (RELEASED OCTOBER 16, 2026)
Constrained by the often-formulaic music on which they cut their teeth, second generation hard boppers began putting their own distinctive stamps on the music in the late 1960s. Moving beyond blues-based themes, swinging rhythms and propulsive solo exchanges, they introduced a greater emphasis on arrangements, harmonic sophistication and subtlety. Italian bassist and composer Fabrizio Cucco embraces that evolution on Nothing Before, assembling a sextet of prominent musicians from the Italian jazz scene: Francesco Fratini on trumpet, Giancarlo Maurino on saxophone, Enzo De Rosa on trombone, Vittorio Solimene on piano and Alessandro Marzi on drums. Combining well-crafted arrangements, compelling compositions and thoughtful solos, the ensemble brings seven Cucco originals to life. The interplay of the horns, the inclusion of a trombone and Solimene’s piano style give “Non e piu inverno” and “Nuvole Basse” (arranged by Luca Prost) a delicate yet complex character reminiscent of Herbie Hancock’s classic 1968 recording Speak Like a Child. “Good Intentions” retains that atmosphere while adding a distinctive Monk-like rhythmic groove and giving Solimene an opportunity to channel his inner Monk. An intricately arranged horn choir sets the tone for “Efemer ca o Suflare,” a ballad featuring lyrical solos from Fratini and De Rosa wonderfully underscored by the ensemble. While the title track and “Quick Solution for the Day Before “ may sound like classic hard bop, Cucco’s arrangements transform them into something fresh for the musicians and listeners. Cucco closes the session with “Solitude,” a bass solo that seems somewhat out of place on an otherwise horn-forward session. With the glut of retro hard bop sessions currently on the market, it is refreshing to hear an ensemble inspired by the music that helped move the genre forward. Keep pushing, Fabrizio!
BOTTOM LINE: On Nothing Before, Italian bassist and composer Fabrizio Cucco draws inspiration from the second-generation hard boppers who expanded the music through more sophisticated arrangements, harmonic explorations and a greater appreciation for subtlety. Fans of Herbie Hancock’s late 1960s recordings, particularly Speak Like a Child and Prisoner will find Cucco’s music familiar but with a modern twist.
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