The debut solo album from alto saxophonist
Randal Despommier
, 2021's
Dio C'e
showcases his vibrant, cross-pollinated jazz style. Prior to recording the album, the New Orleans-bred
Despommier
studied at both Loyola University and the New England Conservatory, and spent time in Italy studying choral and sacred music. He also toured alongside pianist and Hammond B-3 specialist
Jason Yeager
for their 2018 collaboration
All at Onceness
. He brings all of this experience to bear on
. Produced by
with
Yellowjackets
bassist
Jimmy Haslip
, the album has an expansive feel that straddles the line between adventurous acoustic post-bop and sleek contemporary jazz. Along with
Haslip
(who appears on several tracks),
is again joined by
Yeager
, as well as bassist
Aaron Holthus
and drummer
Rodrigo Recabarren
. Together, they play in a warm, lyrical style with
's burnished sound evoking players like
Paul Desmond
and
Art Pepper
. This is especially true on tracks like dusky ballad "Almeno tu nell'universo" from the 2003 romantic drama Ricordati di me, where
's textured and soulful playing brings to mind
Pepper
's latter-career work of the '70s and early '80s, after he'd absorbed the inventive harmonies and bluesy style of
John Coltrane
. At the core of the album is the ambitious title track, a mini-suite featuring vocalist
Aubrey Johnson
that blends gospel rhythms with blues, Gregorian chants, and classical choral sections. Equally far-reaching tracks pop-up throughout, including the groove-oriented "Brother Nature" and the ebullient,
Al Jarreau
-esque "SoHo Down" with
Johnson
. There's also a guest appearance by maverick guitarist
Ben Monder
, who applies his fiery chops to a
's grunge-fusion cover of
Stone Temple Pilots
' "Big Empty." These are wildly ambitious, genre-mashing recordings that speak to
's wide-ranging influences. ~ Matt Collar