The month's album - Bonne Soirèe

Since I haven't found any interesting reviews for this album, I'll try to offer my opinion on one of Pino Daniele's least understood works, perhaps because it was too far ahead of its time, a risky move that left those who followed him far behind.

It's 1987, and Pino Daniele, fresh off his previous album "Ferry Boat" is in the studio recording a new album. It's undoubtedly his most experimental album, at least up to that point, and it almost marks a break with his style and everything he'd done before.

The sounds are completely new, with the first Middle Eastern influences beginning to emerge, perhaps due to my travels in France, where the population is made up of a small percentage of North Africans, making it easier to encounter those sounds.

My feeling is that there's a new air here, fresh like summer mornings, but also scorching like the early afternoons in sicilian villages or Salento (and coincidentally, the Middle East returns here too).

The song structures are quite different from usual; only "Bonne Soirée" and "Watch Out" are perhaps closer to a more established structure, and could have been used as singles.

The harmony and rhythm of the songs are also more complex and nuanced, with many moments of pure enjoyment of the music itself.

Personally, I particularly love Occhi Grigi, but rather than describing the individual songs, I'd refer you directly to the album.

Finally, I can't fail to mention the musicians who play on the album:

• Jerry Marotta on drums, fresh from his experience with Peter Gabriel;

• Mel Collins (formerly of King Crimson and numerous other collaborations) and Larry Nocella on saxophone;

• Pino Palladino on bass, a highly talented session musician;

• Bruno Illiano on keyboards;

• Mino Cinelu on percussion;

Enjoy!