Trasnoche

Italian pianist Enrico Pieranunzi and American acoustic bassist Marc Johnson continue their generally fruitful musical relationship on this quaintly fabricated dual outing. Johnson once again demonstrates his nearly flawless execution and silky-smooth intonations throughout this affable effort. The resonant sonic characteristics serve as an enhancer to the duo's brittle passages and softly rendered balladry, with the primary focus on the musicians' continuous flow of ideas. When viewed as a whole, Pieranunzi's compositions are perhaps a tad less memorable than what he has delivered on previous efforts, regardless of the size of his ensemble. But an air of romance still prevails here, as the musicians' emotive choruses and intertwining mosaics of sound provide the winning touch. These works shine forth as lucidly enacted mini-vignettes that go straight to the heart, mainly due to the performers' strong exchanges and noticeable camaraderie.