Kato’s Gems #9

Alberto Pizzigoni

Welcome to the ninth round of Kato’s Gem. Today we start with “Mildness”, released in 1988, is the latest jazz album by Alberto Pizzigoni, a master, one of the best Italian guitarists ever, who has worked with all the names that count of Italian music and more (Trovajoli, Gianni Ferrio, Gorni Kramer, Gerry Mulligan). A splendid album, born with his trio, with Daliso Cervesato on double bass and Sergio Palmieri on drums for an hour of magical music. Sometimes the guitar takes the form of a rhodes piano and the mood moves between jazz, blues, samba and bossa nova. The sound testament of an artist who behind the scenes has put his hand on fifty years of Italian music.

Joe Tex

Second album of the day: Joe Tex’s “I Gotcha”, released in 1972. A classic, one of the most explosive funk bombs of the last century, brought back by Quentin Tarantino, who wanted to insert it in the soundtrack of “Le Iene”. A must have for all soul lovers, between classic numbers and contagious grooves that are much more than just a frame for that musical “Mammut” which is the title track.

Marvin Gaye-Tammi Terrell

In 1968 Motown Records, the second album of the magical couple Marvin Gaye-Tammi Terrell, “You’re all i need” was released. Produced by Johnny Bristol, the work confirms the special relationship that existed between the two artists, capable of completing and exploring each other in an original way. A few months before the recordings, Tammi Terrell passed out on stage in Gaye’s arms, due to a malignant brain tumor, which after a long battle will take her away in March ’70. Marvin Gaye never recovered emotionally from this loss, but from this work on he brought out a new emotion and a live charisma, which will become his trademark. Ah, if you’re wondering, from the title track about 25 years later Mehod Man and Mary J. Blige will bring out one of the most fascinating pieces of the golden age of rap.