Swiss born guitarist Fabio Mignola first appeared on the contemporary jazz radar screen in 2003 with his CD ‘Flyin Away’. With a style that has been compared to that of Peter White and Acoustic Alchemy his next project was the 2005 ‘Luna Rossa’. This collaboration with tenor sax player Mauro Bonomi raised expectations of what might follow and now he is back with ‘Take Me Higher’. It is something of a showcase for Mignola’s wide raging musical talents who, as well as delivering eleven self penned tracks, also engineers and produces throughout.
The beauty of ‘Take Me Higher’ is in its consummate accessibility and this is well demonstrated with the opening (title) cut. This zesty, sunshine filled tune benefits from a delicious injection of horns while equally pleasing is the gently melodic ‘Flamingos Flyin’. It proves to be a textbook example of great smooth jazz and this is also the case with the Peter White like ‘Groovy Nights’ that has a ‘radio ready’ feel good vibe to die for. ‘Night Flight To LA’ carries with it a buzz of excitement that is re-enforced by enchanting interjections from flautist Ezio Della Torre and when Mignola turns down the tempo for ‘The Light Touch’ it is Della Torre who again adds a little magic.
Despite the sometime flavour of west coast smooth jazz Mignola still finds the time and space to tap into his European roots. This is the case with the intensely percussive intensity of ‘Scirocco’ and also for ‘Candlelight Serenade’ where slow Mediterranean rhythms are underpinned by a smattering of electric guitar. The mid tempo ‘O seu sorriso’ becomes the place where Caribbean meets Latin and although the distinctly European sounding ‘Sparklin’ is another joyous number it is tracks such as ‘Midsummer’s Night Breeze’ and the hauntingly romantic ‘The Light In Your Eyes’ where Mignola’s playing really comes into its own.
Leaving aside all the complications that being a European based contemporary jazz artist brings, Fabio Mignola has a style and a skill that should be of equal appeal on both sides of the Atlantic.
For more go to www.fabiomignola.com