Rocco
Ventrella hails from Bari, Italy.
From 1983 until 2005 Ventrella played in the Big Band "J.S.O."
of Bari where he appeared with an impressive list of artists such as:
Lee Konitz, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Benny Bailey, Chet Baker,
Paolo Fresu, Enrico Rava, Tullio De Piscopo, Ernie Wilkins, Art Farmer,
Maurizio Giammarco, Gianni Basso, Lee Konitz, Tony Scott, Dizzy
Gillespie, G. Gaslini, D. Goykovic, Bob Mintzer and others.
His first
solo project was Tribute To Grover Washington, Jr. (2005)
containing three tracks: Winelight, Let It Flow and Make
Me A Memory. In addition, Ventrella has some new recordings
featuring his own compositions, including the soulful and haunting I
Receive Your Love. The surprising success of this album especially
the positive reaction of critics encouraged Rocco to record Give Me
The Groove (2007).
Rocco Ventrella was accompanied on
this album by Bruce Nazarian (bass, drums, keyboards), Renato Falashi
(various keyboards, Hammond organ, piano) and other guest musicians.
Bruce Nazarian also recorded, mixed and mastered the album at Gnome
Sound Studios, USA, except Winelight and I Receive Your Love,
which Rocco had already produced for his first project.
Starter of the album is the funky Soulful
Strut. Originally composed by Eugene Records and Sonny Sanders the
song was recorded by Young Holt Unlimited as first instrumental
version (1969). Later George Benson (1977), Grover Washington
Jr.(1996), Paul Jackson Jr. (1996) or Nick Colionne (1994) had success
with their version. Rocco Ventrella lets the old magic shine again.
Italian Pop singer Pino Daniela had
recorded Alleria for his album Nero a Metà (1980). Rocco
Ventrella arranged this song new for his album with intro, bridges and
some awesome variations.
Ralph
MacDonald was Harry Belafonte's percussionist. 1976 he released
his solo debut Sound of a Drum with the exceptional Where Is The
Love. Roberta Fleck sold of her version more than 10 millions
copies. I recently reviewed UNAM's interpretation.
Rocco showcases the high popularity of this evergreen.
Grover Washington Jr. had composed Come
Morning for his same-titled album (1980). Rocco slightly changes
the rhythm of the original and impresses with his mastership as
multi-instrumentalist.
Eugene McDaniels composed Feel Like Makin' Love
for Roberta Fleck in 1974, a number one hit. Often copied the song
never lost its attraction. Can there be a better prove than Rocco
Ventrella's wonderful cover?
Rocco Ventrella 's talent isn't limited in covers. On
The Night is a superior arrangement of Ventrella, Nazarian
and Falashi perfectly staged.
One of Grover Washington Jr.'s
outstanding hits was Winelight (1980). Rocco's interpretation
is absolutely brilliant, I especially like the rhythm-enhanced bridge
which has a certain similarity to the rhythm of Grover's The Two Of
Us.
Sensuality is Rocco's second
creation for his new album. A dreamy slow-tempo ballade with nice
keyboard escapades.
The title song Give Me The Groove
is standing on the same level as Dave Koz or Marion Meadows'
productions. Rocco tells his sax story on a bumping beat.
Rocco has a special feeling for
compositions best fitting in the sax category. A Night In Tunisia was
composed by the legendary Dizzy Gillespie. This song is the most
famous song Dizzy ever penned. Rocco shows a needle-sharp
interpretation, the right atmosphere even to the bass.
The album finishes with Rocco's I Receive Your Love,
a heartfelt and sultry song with much emotion.
Rocco Ventrella's album Give Me
The Groove has so much musical power. What can be a better
start-up than such an energetic and seductive album. If you are a fan
of the sax, there is no way around this album.
- Bio
- Rocco Ventrella - Website
- Buy the album at
- Title: Give Me The Groove
Artist: Rocco Ventrella
Year: 2006
Length: 0:51:51
Genre: Smooth Jazz
Label: Smooth Sounds Music
Tracks:
01 Soulful Strut [3:59]
02 Alleria [5:07]
03 Where Is The Love [3:18]
04 Come Morning [4:15]
05 Feel Like Makin' Love [5:08]
06 On The Night [5:04]
07 Winelight [6:44]
08 Sensuality [4:18]
09 Give Me the Groove [5:49]
10 A Night in Tunisia [3:25]
11 I Receive Your Love [4:44]
