Much has been written about the Italian six string prodigy Matteo Mancuso. Born in Palermo on 22nd November 1996, he was proficient in the noble art of guitar playing from a very young age with the help of his father Vincenzo Mancuso and with Django Reinhart as a ‘guideline’. The fact that he already found himself regularly on stage from the age of 11 performing at festivals for large audiences is not only known in jazz circles but also further afield. After that, things moved quickly for the teenager and in 2017 he received an invitation to attend the famous Berklee College Of Music in Boston. After studying there for a year, he returned to the Italian bosom to study at the Palermo Conservatory, where he graduated with full honours.
In 2020, Mancuso founded a trio, with Stefano India on bass and Giuseppe Bruno on drums, both musicians would also accompany him on his debut album, followed by a tour through Italy and Europe. Matteo has been showered with praise by renowned guitarists with whom he has also shared the stage with frequently, amongst them are famed musicians such as Steve Vai, Joe Bonamassa and Al Di Meola. All have been deeply impressed by the abilities of the young Italian. Should you wish to check him out Matteo is very active on YouTube where he demonstrates his enviable technique and flawless feeling. A contract for a solo album was the logical step with said album entitled, The Journey released in 2023, therefore high time to pay attention to it.
Silkroad is the solid opening track of Mancuso’s debut album, influences of Jeff Beck are present but I also hear Eric Johnson passing by. Towards the end of the track there is an intermezzo of acoustic guitar, before the theme is repeated, this time on electric guitar. Lee Ritenour’s style is unmistakably present in Polifemo, a swinging, jazzy-tinged number with a great piano part by Giuseppe Vasapolli.
For Falcon Flight, the Mancuso trio consists of bassist Riccardo Oliva and drummer Gianluca Pellerito, as found during their more recent live performances. The old friends from Palermo form a close-knit team with their talented guitar-playing buddy. Great track, played at lightning speed in the style of John McLaughin. Please listen carefully to the great rhythm section. Open Fields is an ode to the Sicilian countryside where Mancuso comes from. The longest number on the album has an extremely melodic theme with many open chords, in which I think I recognize the style of Larry Carlton, among others. Tone and phrasing are fabulous, feeling above speed, only at the end does he really let go, absolute top-notch. Things get a lot more intense in Drop D, with shredder pieces that could have come from Joe Satriani or Steve Vai, significantly more rock than jazz.
Time now for something completely different, Blues For John (John Scofield actually) is more like Chet Atkins with a catchy riff. But don’t let the term ‘blues’ mislead you, there is at least as much jazz and even a touch of prog in this lovely tune in which Mancuso fully indulges himself. Also pay attention to a fine contribution from Giuseppe Vasapolli on Hammond organ. We shift down a few gears with Time To Leave, largely acoustic guitar with a nod to Al Di Meola, but at the same time typical Mancuso. Beautiful melody and crystal clear tones.
The title of the penultimate track sounds a lot like the famous Carlos Santana track, but has nothing to do with it, nor with samba 😉 . Samba Party is much more a composition that is a cross between jazz rock and fusion with a considered rock edge and Allan Holdsworth-like intonation.
Which brings us to the closing track, The Journey, here Matteo is assisted by father Vincenzo “Vinnie” Mancuso, both playing the acoustic guitar. The title track exudes peace and quiet, a daring choice after a fair dose of electric power. Perhaps that is precisely why it was the right decision. In this dreamy ballad, father and son show how beautiful the acoustic guitar can sound.
The influences are multitudinous, some have already been mentioned, but Pat Metheny, Guthrie Govan, Return to Forever and Weather Report could also be included, however always with his own characteristic style. His playing lies somewhere between flamenco and classical guitar in terms of technique, with lots of arpeggios and typical ‘hammering on’ style, but don’t think for a second that technique is key, there is much feeling in the fingers of the young maestro. The album could be seen as an ode to all those fantastic guitarists who influenced him in one way or another, a musical journey.
A mature debut album from a young man who is far from the top of his game, yet. I’ll leave you with this quote from Steve Vai who calls Mancuso ‘the evolution of the fusion guitar’.
TRACK LISTING
01. Silkroad (4:33)
02. Polifemo (4:59)
03. Falcon Flight (3:02)
04. Open Fields (6:27)
05. Drop D (4:47)
06. Blues For John (3:31)
07. Time To Leave (5:19)
08. Samba Party (3:40)
09. The Journey (4:24)
Total Time – 40:43
MUSICIANS
Matteo Mancuso – Guitars
Stefano India – Bass
Giuseppe Bruno – Drums
~ With:
Riccardo Oliva – Bass (3 & 8)
Gianluca Pellerito – Drums (3 & 8)
Giuseppe Vasapolli – Piano (2), Organ (6)
Vincenzo Mancuso – Acoustic Guitar (9)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Mascot Label Group
Country of Origin: Italy
Date of Release: 21st July 2023
LINKS
Matteo Mancuso – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube | Instagram
