Italian guitar virtuoso Matteo Mancuso surprised the (jazz) rock world in 2023 with his debut album The Journey. Known until then mainly for his YouTube presence and praise from guitar giants (Steve Vai, Al Di Meola and Tommy Emmanuel), he delivered a remarkably varied and melodic first album, followed by an extensive tour of live shows. I do not need to elaborate here on the challenge of surpassing a well-received first album, however three years later, Route 96 arrives with its title nodding both to the iconic east‑west American highway and Mancuso’s birth year.
Whereas The Journey leaned more toward jazz, Route 96 is a more varied and true band record, with guitar, bass, and drums interacting in the studio with a constant, almost competitive energy. The result is a more produced, multi‑layered sound with acoustic, electric and classical textures often woven into a single track without going over the top. There are three guest musicians who add further colour to the album: Steve Vai (electric guitar), Antoine Boyer (gypsy‑jazz/acoustic guitar) and Valeriy Stepanov (keyboards). In a recent interview Mancuso describes the album as having a ‘broader vocabulary’ refusing to be boxed into a single genre, and cites influences ranging from George Benson, Pat Metheny and Allan Holdsworth to Wes Montgomery and Joe Pass. Fine words, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
Opening track Solar Wind starts with spacious sounds, creating a relaxed atmosphere with a clean melody before shifting gears into heavier territory, a Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde transformation. Two minutes from the end, Steve Vai’s unmistakable guitar style and tone enters, he makes his instrument cry, shriek, and wail. We return to Mancuso’s spacious opening to close. A top track.
How different is Fire And Harmony? Acoustic Latin sounds blend with harmonic electric lines in this wonderfully sounding track, evoking a ‘Steve Lukather meets Lee Ritenour’ vibe and transporting you straight to a beachside hammock. On Isla Feliz, French guitarist Antoine Boyer showcases his gypsy‑jazz finesse on acoustic guitar, akin to that of the legendary Jango Reinhardt, while Mancuso extracts long melodic lines from his Yamaha Revstar. The Latin groove, which swings between samba and bossa nova, is irresistible.
In contrast L.A. Blues One channels Larry Carlton and the classic L.A. session sound, with bassist Riccardo Oliva and drummer Gianluca Pellerito locking into a deep, unshakeable groove. A few gears lower, The Great Wall slows things down with subtle oriental inflections, though Mancuso still fires off some of his fastest licks ever. Warm Sunset is even more tranquil, its title perfectly capturing the mood, though Mancuso’s ‘Mr Hyde’ side still peeks through.
Black Centurion is one of the album’s heaviest tracks and reminiscent of Drop D from his debut album. Joe Satriani is perhaps the most obvious comparison here: heavy yet harmonious and, above all, melodic. I can detect four different guitar parts, with interesting chord progression, yet Mancuso regularly plays this song in a live setting. Food for thought. Time to cool down a bit with In The Morning Light, somewhat in the vein of Warm Sunset.
The Chicken, long a staple of Mancuso’s live trio, gets a vibrant studio treatment. Originally composed by tenor saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis and popularized by Jaco Pastorius, the tune features, the third and final guest musician, Russian keyboard virtuoso Valeriy Stepanov, whose Fender Rhodes work recalls Max Middleton (Jeff Beck), Bob James, and George Duke. This quintessential jazz/fusion track gives all the musicians ample space for solo excursions, with drummer Gianluca Pellerito, but especially bassist Riccardo Oliva, excelling.
Route 96 is a strong second album from the former Italian prodigy and one I truly believe has managed to surpass his debut. The broad variety of styles he so desired is clearly discernible and is also part of the success. The production, handled by Matteo and his father Vincenzo Mancuso, is excellent and avoids unnecessary detours.
As mooted earlier I am curious to see and hear if he can reproduce these densely layered tracks live? Given his inimitable technique, and, who knows, with electronic assistance, he may well surprise us again. Recommended for fans of melodic fusion/jazz-rock with a heavier edge.
TRACK LISTING
01. Solar Wind (5:40)
02. Fire And Harmony (5:48)
03. Isla Feliz (4:46)
04. L.A. Blues One (4:49)
05. The Great Wall (5:10)
06. Warm Sunset (3:28)
07. Black Centurion (4:37)
08. In The Morning Light (3:30)
~ Bonus track:
09. The Chicken (4:59)
Total Time – 42:46
MUSICIANS
Matteo Mancuso – Guitars
Riccardo Oliva – Bass
Gianluca Pellerito – Drums
~ With:
Steve Vai – Electric Guitar (1)
Antoine Boyer – Acoustic Guitar (3)
Valeriy Stepanov – Keyboards (9)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Mascot Records
Country of Origin: Italy
Date of Release: 24th April 2026
LINKS
Matteo Mancuso – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp (Mascot Label Group) | YouTube | Instagram
