Check-in

For some years, Europlane has been an important vehicle for Italian pianist Roberto Magris. The version featured on Check-In delivers some straight-ahead jazz of the finest order — inventive, yet accessible. The musicians lend their full commitment to the project and do not sound the least bit jaded. The leader has indeed assembled a quintet of wonderful musicians who truly deserve wider recognition. Hungarian saxophonist Tony Lakatos likes to use crescendos that burst into fiery explosions. He also engages his Austrian and more cerebral counterpart, Michael Erian, in exciting dialogues. Czech bassist Robert Balzar plays with an expansive tone and a strong inclination for melody. Italian drummer Gabriele Centis keeps pace with a beautiful touch and is always attuned to his surroundings. Magris concocted a well-paced program of standards and originals, covering both ballads and burners. The opener, "I Remember You," is a real winner, featuring a stunning introduction that pits one saxophonist against the other in a scorching exchange sustained by Centis. As a pianist, Magris can be economical, a quality that presents more options to the soloists. He also proves to have mastered the various voices of the jazz idiom and, in particular, does not relinquish dissonance. Whatever his choices, they are characterized by taste and elegance. The only quibble is that his originals do not match the quality of some of his previous compositions. Roberto Magris keeps maturing and has come one step closer to creating his masterpiece.