The Past Inside The Present

On his debut release, The Past Inside The Present, Italian guitarist Gianfranco Continenza has chosen fine sidemen who perform his original music with finesse and ease. The music on this recording is a complex fusion of progressive and funky elements. Gianfranco has composed and put together 10 pieces that serve as a launching pad for, at times breathtaking work from Bill Evans (sax), Maurizio Rolli, Scott Kinsey (keyboards, from Tribal Tech), Dante Melena, and Angelo Trabucco. The abilities Gianfranco brings to this date are formidable. Like many a Berkleee alumnus, he has chops of such hyper proficiency a listener can do little but stand amazed - but Gianfranco is more than a capable player: Gianfranco has chosen a difficult complex path for himself but he's obviously having a gas following it. There's a light, warm, familiar feeling to Gianfranco's music. The compositions are well crafted and are harmonically, rhythmically and melodically superb, Gianfranco's guitar playing was full of energy, exploration and sheer chops. Gianfranco seems to be able to move seamlessly from soulful gut wrenching playing to soaring technically astounding passages.