Back in 2022, I reviewed Nora, a beautiful album by Swiss flugelhornist Franco Ambrosetti backed by strings lushly arranged by Alan Broadbent (go here). Now, Franco and Alan have released a second album, Sweet Caress (Enja), recorded at the end of 2023. It features the same seductive sound and sterling set of musicians: Franco Ambrosetti (flhrn), Alan Broadbent (p,arr,cond), John Scofield (g), Scott Colley (b), Peter Erskine (d) and Sara Caswell (violin, concertmaster).
The self-taught Franco began his recording career in Milan in 1965 on A Jazz Portrait of Franco Ambrosetti. On his new album, the music's gentle quality reminds me of Chet Baker's movie tracks recorded in Italy in the early 1960s for Ennio Morricone. The album also is on par with Chet Baker & Strings (1953-'54) if not better. [Photo above of Franco Ambrosetti by John Abbott]
Franco's playing is pensive, precious and deeply romantic, and his tone is cinematically glamorous, especially with Alan's sensitive orchestrations. In places, Sco's graceful guitar emerges with lines that mirror the album's reflective feel. [Photo above of Franco Ambrosetti and Alan Broadbent]
The recording is saturated in wonderful Italian melancholy, the kind you feel there in early autumn when the sunlight is toasted and more ocher than summer's bright lemon.
Sweet Caress is a soundtrack for the wistful, the broken-hearted and those with fleeting regrets. Best of all, Alan's arrangements inhale and exhale with consistent ease, winning over your heart.
For me, Franco is among the finest flugelhornists around today, and Alan is easily one of our most treasured arrangers. The album is deeply moving and one you won't take off once you put it on. A must-own on all levels and one that deserves Grammy consideration.
JazzWax tracks: You'll find Franco Ambrosetti's Sweet Caress (Enja) here and on most streaming platforms.
JazzWax clips: Here's Colors of the Wind...
Here's the title track...
And here's Portrait of Jennie...
Bonus: Here's Franco Ambrosetti and Ronnie Cuber playing Ronnie's Airplay in 1993, backed by Antonio Farao (p), Michael Formanek (b) and Adam Nussbaum (d)...
