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Heat the Silent is the seven song jazz-combo release from pianist Louis Siciliano and drummer Mauro Salvatore. These monster players aren’t releasing a brief work of their jazzy meanderings or aimless jams but, instead, a cohesive and even conceptually driven work underpinned by Siciliano’s study of jazz. The dup venture in myriad directions over the course of these songs and none of the performances are short, off-handed affairs.
URL: https://louissiciliano.com/
It is a deeply felt statement of personal identity in some respects. Siciliano’s stated desire to artistically encompass as much of the style’s history as possible within the borders of this work has resulted in a bold collection willing to take chances. The atypical development of cuts such as the album opener “Variations on ‘Estate’” doesn’t mean listeners are shut out of a satisfying musical experience. They arrive there, however, via a different path and Salvatore’s ghostly drumming makes a definite impression.
Their skill for changing things up and going in a different direction is notable. “When All the People Are Sleeping” is near cinematic with its emotional progression. Siciliano sounds like he’s digging deep into the song’s melodic bounty and the resulting range of feelings he invokes effortless spill off the song. The hard-charging “Thelonious” is another of the album’s high water marks with some spectacular scat singing involved as well. It doe not take up much of the track, however.
The musician deserving the majority of your attention, however, is Salvatore. It is one of the two tracks on this album when he will seem like someone completely taking over the song. There’s no feeling of him side lining Siciliano during these moments, however, but just an inspired blast emanating from his drums that you don’t hear during other songs. His ability to do something few drummers can do, capture melody, makes him an essential cohort for Siciliano.
“Joe’s Island” provides listeners with yet another startling imaginative work. They take a different direction from the song’s predecessor and this minor key gem makes some unexpected adjustments as it moves towards its end. “Beyond the Eight Door” is the second of these two tracks mentioned earlier where Salvatore delivers an album defining performances. These twin percussive achievements, again, never overshadow Siciliano’s contributions and, if anything, emphasize his superb decision making bringing Salvatore on.
It is by far their best work together. Heat the Silent is something that any musician, jazz or not, would want to take to their grave as a credit on the discography. Accomplishing this without compromising their artistic vision and pursuing it through to the end is the added joy it brings Louis Siciliano and Mauro Salvatore, there’s no doubt, and there will undoubtedly continue working together as long as they share that creative spark. It is never too challenging or removed from the audience’s experience of what jazz music is – if anything, it will possibly correct many misconceptions listeners have carried their whole lives. The MUMEx Duo, Siciliano and Salvatore, would certainly be happy with that outcome.
Jennifer Munoz
