Valerio Cosi / Enzo Franchini
Conference of the Aquarians
 

[Audio sample]

 

Valerio Cosi is a new, prolific and powerful voice in new music from Europe.  Although he has dozens of releases (mostly cd-r), it would still be impossible to say whether he will in time settle into free 'jazz' (I use that term hesitantly) or into other areas of sound exploration.  'Conference' finds him in a small, intelligent duo with Enzo Franchini (percussion) where they are able to show off their chops; making some very pleasing nods to Henry Cow / Fred Frith and a few others; but these are take off points only.  Ultimately the album explores a broad swath of musical possibilities, and certainly the release goes a long way in establishing Cosi as someone to pay close attention to.

Those who are just now discovering Valerio's music may want to check out Italian label A Silent Place.