Review: Guido Spannocchi - Kammermusik (Audioguido Records)

The new Guido Spannocchi isn't the same as the old with the release of the new album 'Kammermusik' that's a little bit odd and introspecitive; the cover art is the perfect representation of this Not-jazz Jazz!

After the album, Guido Spannocchi Quartet'sLive at Porgy & Bess, Vienna from a few years ago, (see review HERE), 'Kammermusik' is his first studio album in 5 years.

 And what can you expect?  Well, he's gone minimal, ambient rejection of 'loud' modern jazz.  Having grown up in Vienna and having lived in London for many years, jazz meets chamber music "with hints of exotica' with James Lart (vibes/tubular bells), Danny Keane (cello) and Andrea Di Biase (bass).

Perhaps 'Echoes Of A Formal Education' catchs the feel of the album most obviously in its low-key highbow spirit; Lart's unflashy vibes is like Roy Ayres without the "showman".  On 'Imaginary Cape Town' Spannocchi's sax flows like a river with the bonus of some quirky electronica.  It's quite different.  Ttubular bells on 'Seven Dials Triptychon' with a angular cello section keeps the rural folk dance in an inner city Third Man era (without the zither). 

Perhaps this was on the cards as his brother Rahael mixed the album, sleeve notes [Philosophical] by his dad, Dr Eugen Spannocchi and that artwork, Daniel Domig.  There;s no genre that this album fits into so lets call it, 'Kammermusik' and enjoy it.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://kud.li/audioguido32

Artist: Guido Spannocchi 

Title: Kammermusik Guido 

Release date: 24th April, 2026

Label: Audioguido Records

Cat. No. : TBC

Format: Vinyl / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Guido Spannocchi - Live at Porgy & Bess, Vienna, 2022 (Audioguido Records)

Here's a couple of dates for you, The Guido Spannocchi quartet will celebrate the release of their new album with 2 consecutive shows at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz club (London) on 16 & 17th June 2023.

And what can you expect?  Well, Ronnie Scott's jazz club only has the best and if they've listened to the double LP of last years' gig, 'Live at Porgy & Bess, Vienna, 2022' they'll know that these four are so well matched. 

Featuring Ruth Goller (bass - how coincidental that we just referenced Vula Viel in which she also played bass in our review of Valia Calda's 'Homeland' album - see HERE), Danny Keane (piano and Rhodes) and Pete Adam Hill (drums) and, of course, Guido Spannocchi on alto saxophone.

There's no "popular" or "jazz standards" on the 7-track album being all originals/live arrangements of his previous album tracks (on which he's been accompanied by the likes of Robert Mitchell and Toni Kofi no less).  And as such, they cover areas of the jazz ballad to hard bop, avant-garde to contemporary, fusion to free!

What immediately strikes you is how good the sound recording is at Porgy & Bess, it must be a great venue to play and go and see jazz. And how good is this band?  Listend to the 10 minutes of 'Das Ist Die Frage' and you'll have no doubt.

And listen to him blow on 'Ganbatte'!

Apparantly, the band were'nt told that this mid-tour date was going to be recorded so there was no 'red light nerves' involved, is that why it sounds so good? Check out 'Strutting At Six' on Bandcamp and if you're in the London area later this month, book your tickets as it's going to be a sell out.

Artist: Guido Spannocchi Quartet

Title: Guido Spannocchi Live at Porgy & Bess, Vienna, 2022

Release date: 9th June, 2023

Label: Audioguido Records

Format: Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp