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Nido Workshop is a young up and coming jazz group from Italy that mixes roots jazz styles with some free blowing avant-garde tendencies to create some energetic gregarious modern jazz. Their tendency to use unpretentious earthy elements like hard bop, blues and New Orleans jazz, and then spin those elements towards near chaos with group improvisation, will definitely have you thinking it’s the second coming of Charles Mingus. No doubt their three horn front line adds to that effect too. Not only is the Mingus influence obvious, but also the influence of those who followed in his wake, Eric Dolphy, The Art Ensemble of Chicago and especially Henry Threadgill. If you are a Threadgill fan, you will find a lot to like in Nido’s enthusiasm, humorously exaggerated playing and joyful chaos.
The writing and arrangements on here are excellent, very advanced for a new band, there are few clichés and each song keeps you wondering what might be next as the band eschews endless solos in favor of clever ensemble interactions. There are some good solos on here too, but if this band has one weakness its that some of the solos don’t have the confident phrasing of the masters. The future looks bright for this band, especially if they keep using their creative arranging skills. If you like mini-big bands like Mingus and Henry Threadgill, check this one out.