CD of the Day - "Nicola Conte: Rituals"

CD of the Day
Nicola Conte: "Rituals" (Schema) 2008

Probably the most beautiful (and expensive) CD artwork of the year, in a deluxe digipack format. The acclaimed Italian producer, also a good composer and the main star of the Schema family, carefully conceived.
My personal favorite tracks are Dusko Goykovich's "Macedonia" (one of the few songs not written by Conte, who plays guitar, backing Fabrizio Bosso's fabulous trumpet), "Song For the Seasons" (featuring the silky voice of Alice Ricciardi) and "Rituals".
There are also strong contributions by (male) tenor sax player Daniele Scannapieco, drummers Lorenzo Tucci & Teppo Makynen, (acoustic) bassists Pietro Ciancaglini & Dario Deidda, pianist Pietro Lussu, trombonist Mario Corvini, and special guests Greg Osby on alto sax & Till Bronner on trumpet, plus vocalists Jose James, Chiara Civello and Kim Sanders.
Tonight, Nicola Conte performs live at the Quasimodo club in Berlin.