PUPA O CRISALIDE

ALBUM BY ENRICO RAVA – DIALOGO

Thanks to Dialogo Records Enrico Rava’s “Pupa o Crisalide”, originally released in 1975, finally sees the light for jazz music lovers once again!

A compelling collection of recordings comes together in Pupa O Crisalide, featuring three different ensembles on this remarkable album by Enrico Rava, which, thanks to Dialogo Records, finally sees the light of day for jazz lovers.

Italian musicians Giovanni Tommaso, Bruno Biriaco, Franco D’Andrea, Michele Ascolese, Mandrake, and Tommaso Vittorini appear on “Pupa O Crisalide” and “Giramondo”; American players David Horowitz, John Abercrombie, Herb Bushler, Jack DeJohnette, Warren Smith, and Ray Armando contribute to “C.T.’s Dance” and “Tsakwe”; and Argentine musicians Finito Ginbert, Matias Pizarro, Rodolfo Mederos, Riccardo Lew, El Negro Gonzales, Nestor Astarita, and El Chino Rossi perform on “El Samba Graciela,” “Revisione del Processo N.6,” and “Lingua Franca.”

Enrico Rava was the first Italian jazz artist to gain international recognition, born in Trieste in 1939—a border city with a long history as part of Austria, a key Adriatic port influenced by many cultures. At its best, Rava’s music is the product of this unique city—a blend of Central European and Italian culture.

Pupa O Crisalide is one of the most intriguing works in Enrico Rava’s discography. It provides an excellent summary of the early phase of his solo career and includes tracks recorded with three distinct lineups: an all-Italian ensemble for the opening track “Pupa O Crisalide” and the closing “Giramondo,” recorded in Rome on July 15 and 16, 1974, with Giovanni Tommaso, Bruno Biriaco, Franco D’Andrea, Michele Ascolese, Mandrake, and Tommaso Vittorini; an Argentine octet for the B-side tracks “El Samba Graciela,” “Revisione del Processo N.6,” and “Lingua Franca,” recorded in Buenos Aires in April 1974; and an impressive American septet, including Jack DeJohnette and John Abercrombie, on the A-side tracks “C.T.’s Dance” and “Tsakwe,” recorded in New York in December 1973.

The album’s musical style clearly reflects its composite nature. The first half is funkier, edgier, and more intense—heavily influenced by the jazz-rock and fusion trends of the era. The second half is more serene, elegantly incorporating Latin and samba elements. The two halves are held together by the tonal similarity of the ensembles (featuring nearly the same instrumental components) and by Enrico Rava’s distinctive trumpet style.

Often compared to Miles Davis and Kenny Wheeler, Rava’s technique features sparse, atmospheric notes and erratic melodic lines that surprisingly never undermine the presence of his trumpet voice. On the contrary, the charisma of Rava’s trumpet seems to arise precisely from this unexpected balance of cool detachment and fiery intensity.

Tracklist LP:

A1 Pupa o Crisalide
A2 C.T.’s Dance
A3 Tsakwe
B1 El Samba Graciela
B2 Revisione del Processo N. 6
B3 Lingua Franca
B4 Giromondo (per piccoli feddayn, terzi bimbi ed altri mutanti)

A1, B4
Enrico Rava (trumpet)
Giovanni Tommaso (bass)
Bruno Biriaco (drums)
Franco D’Andrea (piano)
Michele Ascolese (guitar)
Mandrake (percussion)
Tommaso Vittorini (tenor sax, arrangements)

A2, A3
Enrico Rava (trumpet)
David Horowitz (electric and acoustic piano, synthesizer)
John Abercrombie (electric guitar)
Herb Bushler (bass, electric bass)
Jack De Johnette (drums)
Warren Smith (percussion)
Ray Armando (percussion)

B1, B2, B3
Enrico Rava (trumpet)
Finito Ginbert (tenor sax, flute)
Matias Pizarro (piano)
Rodolfo Mederos (bandoneon)
Ricardo Lew (electric guitar)
El Negro Gonzales (double bass)
Nestor Astarita (drums)
El Chino Rossi (percussion)

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