I have been a fan of Stefano Panunzi’s music for years now. However, I only found out about his new release recently. Pages from the Sea, was released on April 21, 2023, on SP Music (Stefano Panunzi Music). Stefano Panunzi is an Italian keyboardist extraordinaire. The sounds he produces with a keyboard are seldom duplicated. He is a master, for sure.
Back in 1997, Stefano Panunzi founded the project Fjieri; hosting Jakko Jakszyk, Mick Karn, Gavin Harrison, Tim Bowness, and Richard Barbieri. Some very well-known musicians in the progressive rock and rock world. Stefano has been making solo music since, 2005, with releases like: Timelines (2005), A Rose (2009), Beyond The Illusion (2021), and this year, Pages From The Sea.
Stefano likes to use the same artists that he knows well and has collaborated with on the aforementioned albums. They include: Robby Aceto, Andrea Chimenti, Thomas Leer, Giancarlo Erra , Grice, Nicola Lori, Fabio Fraschini, Luca Calabrese, and Fabio Trentin. Pages From The Sea, perfectly blends ambient atmospheres and progressive ambition, to create a stellar album, that I would compare to the power of some of Sting’s solo masterpieces about the sea. Not as personal as Sting’s albums, but full of jazzy impressions and wonderful songs about nautical adventures, the changing moods of the ocean, and personal relationships.
My favorite tracks on the album are:
“The Sea Woman”, is by far my favorite. It is a symphony of sound. Brilliant piano and wavy, soundscaped, orchestration and synths that help move your body and emotions, as you feel, like you are out on the waves of the sea.
“Which Truth”, opens with some cool Police-like guitar vibes, which lead me down the road to Sting’s album.
“Not Waving, But Drowning”, is full of deep bass chords which shine full. Jakko M. Jakszyk’s vocals are perfect for the song.
“The Secret”, is full of cool bell-like keys and soundscapes of keyboard rhythms that only Stefano uses as effectively. There is at times an 80s keyboard sound to this one which is also irresistible.
“The Sea”, has that illuminating keyboard at the opening that is perfectly complemented by piano and Peter Goddard’s lonely vocal. At times, if you close your eyes, his vocals almost remind you of Chris Squire, at times, during this song.
“You And I”, has wonderful drum play and those cool Mangione -like trumpet sounds.
“Steel Waves”, is full of more great drums and some awesome Cure-like guitar chords. But it is the warm innovative keyboards that really make this one memorable.
“Every Drop Of Your Love”, has more of those lovely bell keyboards, with Jakko M. Jakszyk sounding a bit like Sting and the Police again.
“Swimming To Sea”, is full of some glistening keyboards, piano, guitars and Robby Aceto’s arid vocal.
“I’m Feeling so Blue”, “Those Words (Are All We Have)”, “An Autumn Day”, with SiRenée’s elegant vocal and that deep, powerful fall mood.
Stefano Panunzi, plays most keyboards and piano.
Guests on Pages From The Sea include:
On bass guitar – Fabio Fraschini (tracks: 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9), and Fabio Trentini (tracks: 1, 3, 6, and 11)
On double bass guitar – Stefano Petrocco (track: 10)
On drums – Alessandro Inolti (tracks: 3, 5, 10, and 11), Cristiano Capobianco (tracks: 6 and 9), Luca Fareri (tracks: 1 and 4,), Pat Mastelotto (track: 7)
Electronics – Sunao Inami (track: 3)
Flugelhorn – Mike Applebaum (track: 1and 9)
Lead Guitar – Giacomo Anselmi (track: 4)
Lead guitar and backing vocals – Markus Reuter (track: 11)
Lead and bass guitar – Nicola Lori (tracks: 1 and 2)
Trumpet – Peter Dodge, tracks: (2 and 5)
Lead vocals – Jakko M. Jakszyk (tracks: 2, 7, and 10), Peter Goddard (The Mousetrap Factory), (track: 4), and SiRenée (track: 11)
Lead vocals, piano, and guitar – Robby Aceto (tracks: 5 and 8)
Tracklist:
1. Which Truth
2. Not Waving, But Drowning feat. Jakko M. Jakszyk
3. The Secret
4. The Sea feat. Peter Goddard
5. You And I feat. Robby Aceto and Matteo Giannetti
6. Steel Waves
7. Every Drop Of Your Love feat. Jakko M. Jakszyk and Pat Mastelotto
8. Swimming To Sea feat. Robby Aceto
9. I’m Feeling So Blue
10. Those Words (Words Are All We Have) feat. Jakko M. Jakszyk
11. An Autumn Day feat. Sirenée and Markus Reuter
12. The Sea Woman
Pages from the Sea was mastered by Luca Fareri. The album was mixed by Fabio Fraschini. Stefano Panunzi is the album’s Producer.
The brilliant artwork and layout was created by Bernd Webler. The album comes with a wonderful 24-page booklet with images created by Bernd Webler.
Pages From The Sea is everything that you will have wanted, when you purchase it. Full of rich guitar, bass, drums, and those wonderful brass sounds. Every song on this album is full of Stefano Panunzi’s unique keyboards and symphonic soundscapes. It is an album, that you can feel just as comfortable, sitting in a recliner with headphones on by the fire; playing in your car, while driving down the coast, by the seashore in summer; or dancing with your lover at home or at your favorite nightclub. A perfect combination of relaxation, wonder, and exhilaration. The use of trumpets, flugelhorns and brass, along with the brilliant piano, gives Pages From The Sea, that refined, evening dinner at an exclusive restaurant with cocktails warmth. The album is so sophisticated sounding, you will feel an emotional drift between moody, Steely Dan, at one moment, then on to Chuck Mangione room – lighting trumpet, the next. Yeah, just like that!
Enjoy this one and get it soon. Like me…you are already late finding out about this one…Sorry…
Band Website and Social Media Links:
https://stefanopanunzi1.bandcamp.com/album/pages-from-the-sea
https://stefanopanunzi1.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/stefanopanunzimusic/
https://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=5757
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/stefano-panunzi/89633834
YouTube and Music Video Links: