Gene Bertoncini – Body And Soul (1999) [Reissue 2004] {SACD ISO + FLAC 24bit/88,2kHz}

Gene Bertoncini is one of the pre-eminent jazz guitarists active today. His fluid technique have won him international praise and such accolades as the “Segovia of jazz”. An eloquent and versatile improviser, has been heard with an extraordinary range of jazz greats, including performances and recordings with Benny Goodman, Buddy Rich, Wayne Shorter, Hubert Laws and Paul Desmond, among others, as well as with such distinguished vocalists as Tony Bennett, Carmen McRae and Lena Horne, Vic Damone and Edye Gorme. “Body and Soul” is Bertoncini’s first unaccompanied solo recording and his first recording for Ambient Records. This album represents the Jazz guitarist at his acoustic best.

His playing works a tune from the inside, fully exploring its harmonic, melodic, and textural implications much like a classical composer develops an idea on paper. While most of the material here is exceedingly familiar (“The Shadow of Your Smile,” “Edelweiss,” “Greensleeves”) Bertoncini’s treatments transform each tune into a unique statement that is constantly changing.

There aren’t a great many exponents of nylon-string acoustic jazz guitar, but Gene Bertoncini, one of the true masters, belongs near the top of the list. On this exquisite solo album, the veteran guitarist is recorded via a technology called Direct Stream Digital. Without going into cumbersome details, what this means is unparalleled sound quality, giving a glass-like sheen to Bertoncini’s musical thoughts. It must be said, however, that Bertoncini would sound great recorded in far less ideal circumstances. His arrangements combine the unlimited possibilities of jazz reharmonization with the rigors of legit classical guitar technique, resulting in highly individual reworkings of great standards. The title track becomes a landscape of dark clusters and dissonance, while in parts of “My Funny Valentine” and “Greensleeves,” the melody occurs in the low register, framed by high-register chords and patterns – not something you’re likely to hear from even the best electric jazz guitarist. Bertoncini even makes lesser showtunes like “Edelweiss” and “How Are Things in Glocca Morra” sound like mini-symphonies.

Tracklist:
01. The Shadow of Your Smile
02. My Funny Valentine
03. How Are Things in Glocca Morra
04. Body and Soul
05. Edelweiss
06. ‘Round Midnight
07. Stardust
08. But Beautiful
09. I Remember You
10. Greensleeves
11. Cavatina
12. Sophisticated Lady
13. Snowfall

This recording was originally made with DSD equipment in 1999.

SACD ISO

mqs.link_GeneBertnciniBdyAndSul1999Reissue2004SACDIS.part1.rar
mqs.link_GeneBertnciniBdyAndSul1999Reissue2004SACDIS.part2.rar

FLAC 24bit/88,2kHz

mqs.link_GeneBertnciniBdyAndSul1999Reissue2004FLAC2496.rar