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The David Restivo Trio – Arancina
In the increasingly wide definition of contemporary jazz, an album that offers comfortable enjoyment, solid musicianship, and mature writing from a great trio is a treat. I’ve never eaten arancini, but Sicilian or not, this album is a fine snack.
★★★★ out of five
Keith Black – Winnipeg Free Press
Arancina’s strengths include its originality, diversity of the works and the supportive musical family Restivo has collected to perform. Some highlights include Sicilian Suite which has four movements exemplifying different scenes inspired by travelling through that area: Train to Catania begins with a lilting and circular melody and works into some fast and nuanced keyboard gymnastics, as if the train is picking up speed. It then has a rest stop with a thoughtful bass solo from Jim Vivian before returning to the melody. Palermo Street Scenes does a great job of reflecting the busy bustle of an urban centre and begins and ends with invigorating drum solos from Alyssa Falk.
Ted Parkinson – The WholeNote
Restivo’s trio, with drummer Alyssa Falk and bassist Jim Vivian, is a propulsion unit. That aspect of their artistry shines on “Train To Catania,” the first part of the terrific “Sicilian Suite” which opens the set… The set includes a pair of vocal interludes, with Fawn Fritzen sitting in with the trio. The singer co-wrote both pieces with Restivo; “Kintsugi” and “Bittersweet Goodbye” are both intimate, like serious conversations across a kitchen table, over cups of coffee; like Gordon Jenkins’ “Goodbye” or Elvis Costello’s “Baby Plays Around,” both are heartbreakingly sad in an eloquent way, like the best of sad songs.
★★★★
Dan McClenaghan – All About Jazz
Together, the trio captures the listener’s imagination with the 4 part Sicilian Suite. Train to Catania has a sense of anticipation. Palermo Street Scenes is a bustling, textures exploration. Moonlight in Modica is serene and reflective. The title track is an awakening to a new day after the dreamy moonlight of the previous track. Together, the four parts create a striking sonic journey.
David Reed – Belleville Intelligencer
When it comes to piano focused jazz sounds, it just doesn’t get much better than this, as Restivo and company excel at both busy, energetic landscapes as well as intimate moments of timeless beauty.
9/10 Tom Haugen – Take Effect
The two tracks with singer Fritzen are wonderful and her performance outstanding! She truly gives life to these songs. Overall a great record which I can happily recommend.
Wulf Muller
★★★★
Ivan Rod
Arancina comes from a breadth of experience that you can’t fake. Restivo is the real deal, and his album takes you on an expansive ride. Vivian, Falk, and Fritzen are inspired contributors, too.
William Chernoff – Rhythm Changes
Music in warm and confident hands.
George W. Harris – Jazz Weekly
The piano man that ranks as one of Canada’s national treasures plays here like he has nothing to prove and is playing for the sheer joy of it. Actually, he’s got an impressionistic travelogue going on here that starts with a tour of Italy and ends with some good old fashioned bebop.
Chris Spector – Midwest Record
