Mark Buselli and Claude Sifferlen: Take the Mitsu (2004)

C. Michael Bailey

Senior Contributor since 1997

...wants to know if Gene Harris is playing "Summertime" in Heaven...

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Published: January 17, 2004

Mark Buselli and Claude Sifferlen: Take the Mitsu

The flugelhorn has such a smooth, rounded tone that it can impart the warmest and most mellow ambiance to any instrument. When that recording is a piano duet, that warmth and mellowness are magnified dramatically. Warmth, not heat. While a virtuoso’s instrument, the flugelhorn is also a specialty instrument. In the hands of Mark Buselli, one can see why.

After forging a relationship with pianist Claude Sifferlen by playing a regular gig at Indianapolis’ Chatterbox, Mr. Buselli has produced a creatively worthwhile duet recital. The two musicians transform three standards, "My Ideal," "Stablemates," and "The Nearness of You," very intimately while completely improvising the remaining six numbers. The two musicians elaborate their empathic and telepatic relationship on these originals, giving the selection a living breathing freedom that is neither offensive or standoffish.

Pieces like "Bhutan" and Syncretism" are balladic and moody, while "Blullage" and "Sophia" increase the tempo and hum with a low musical tension. Buselli and Sifferlan are perfectly in tune with one another, resulting in swinging songs that are cogent, organized, and ideal for quiet listening.

For more information, visit Mark Buselli and OA2 Records on the web.

Track Listing: My Ideal; Bhutan; Syncretism; Blullage; Stablemates; A Long Time Ago; Sophia Take This Mitsu; The Nearness Of You.

Personnel: Mark Buselli

Record Label: OA2 Records
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream