THE CUSP

Roberto Occhipinti Ensemble - 2003 Modica Music
Produced and arranged by Roberto Occhipinti
Recorded in Toronto at CBC Studio 211 by Todd Fraracci, assisted by Ron Skinner; except "Dogon" recorded at Wellesley Sounds by Jeff McCullough.

REVIEWS

Roberto Occhipinti's ''cusp'' is effectively the point at which contemporary jazz intersects with the many other idioms and traditions that currently influence it. The Toronto bassist, who is best known for his work with Jane Bunnett's Afro-Cuban groups, looks to several of those idioms here, as he puts his new, nine-piece ensemble smartly through the paces of Cuban rhythms, tunes by Wayne Shorter and Jimi Hendrix, an aria from Puccini's Tosca and a three-part suite inspired by a trip to Mali. Occhipinti alert, bustling arrangements make it all sound quite seamless, and the playing, by what qualifies as an all-star Toronto unit with the likes of Phil Dwyer, John Johnson, Kevin Turcotte and Hilario Durán, is equally expert and energetic. - Mark Miller

CREDITS

Roberto Occhipinti - Bass/Producer/Arranger
Less Allt - Flute and Alto Flute
Phil Dwyer - Soprano and Tenor Sax; Piano (Dogon)
John Johnson - Bass Clarinet & Alto Sax
Kevin Turcotte - Trumpet & Flugelhorn
James Mac Donald - French Horn
Alastair Kay - Trombone
Hilario Durán - Piano
Dafnis Prieto - Drums
Chendy Leon - Percussion (Prieto Azul and The Cusp)
Hugh Marsh - Violin (Dogon)
Pedro Martinez - Congas (Dogon).

All songs written by Roberto Occhipinti, except “Ana Maria” by Wayne Shorter; "Voodoo Child" by Jimi Hendrix and "Tosca" by G. Puccini.

Produced and arranged by Roberto Occhipinti for Modica Music.