Auditur Periculosum (The Trio of Stridence 884501854436, 2013)
The Trio of Stridence is a power jazz-rock trio led by drummer Paul Marangoni. The band’s new album, Auditur Periculosum is a collection of jazz fusion and Frank Zappa pieces performed with a vibrant rock edge featuring drums, bass and guitars.
The formidable rhythm section stays the same for the whole album, with Marangoni on drums and percussion and Peter Bakaja on bass. The guitars, however, are played by three different instrumentalists: Allen Hinds, Luca Mantovanelli, and Alex Milella.
The album opens with a heavy blues-rock version of ‘Jailbait’ by Tim Landers. The guitarist here is Luca Mantovanelli.
The next piece is a medley of two Jaco Pastorius compositions, ‘Havona’ and ‘Reza’. Allen Hinds, Bakaja and Marangoni deliver an outstanding performance. The rock element is toned down a little, delivering cutting edge fusion.
‘Dr. Skump’ is an exquisite slow tempo Steve Khan piece. The superb guitar part is played by Alex Milella.
The fourth cut is Frank Zappa’s ‘Watermelon in Easter Bay.’ Allen Hinds plays in an effective blues-infused fusion style.
Another Zappa piece titled ‘King Kong’ features Luca Mantovanelli who sheds the hard rock riffs used earlier in the album and demonstrates his admirable skill. Of all pieces on the album, ‘King Kong’ is the closest to straight ahead progressive rock, with unexpected twists and turns in classic Zappa fashion.
Pat Metheny is the author of the next piece. ‘Unquity Road’ receives a rock injection and features more impressive guitar dexterity by Luca Mantovanelli.
Next is a jazz-rock composition by legendary violinist Jerry Goodman. The guitarist here is Allen Hinds.
‘Temporary Fault’ was penned by one of the greatest fusion guitarists of all time, Alan Holdsworth. Alex Milella provides the engaging guitar solo in this track.
The Canterbury classic Hell’s Bells by National Health is recreated with the dominant rock riffing and shredding guitar of Luca Mantovanelli.
The album ends with another Metheny composition, ‘As Falls Wichita So Falls Wichita Falls,’ featuring the versatile Allen Hinds on guitar.