Piccola luce

Dreamy colors, pastel images, and airy textures are the central elements of this Italian acoustic rhythm section that adds the flowing sounds of a soprano saxophone on a couple of tracks. Although the piano strings were altered on one piece ("Arabesque"), this is decidedly conservative entertainment, the sort in which adjectives such as "lovely" and "elegant" seem most appropriate. Coming out of the tradition of Bill Evans, Domenico Capezzuto is an accomplished, melodic pianist with a strong sense of lyricism. The music is not too challenging, but it is played with a spirit of unity, in which the parts fit comfortably. His solos are often undistinguished, though they are well performed and sometimes even technically impressive. He sticks closely to established chords, keeps the tempos within reason, and doesn't raise the volume too high. His colleagues play the suit perfectly, with a well-centered focus that makes for a pleasant background atmosphere. Capezzuto's fine, if somewhat non-descript, compositions are generally not strong enough to merit repeat performances elsewhere, although the two versions of the title tune are interesting studies in subtle contrast, displaying some of the nuances of the group and, on the last number, its potential for exquisite beauty.