For those unaware, jazz pianist and composer Roberto Zanetti pays homage to Africa with a new record that wishes to return to the origins of African-American music.

With Mother Afrika (out now), the main aim is to revel in the spontaneity of this genre: the pieces on the record, all originals by Roberto Zanetti, are linear, simple and fresh, both rhythmically and thematically, just like in the ancient times.

The record also sings the praises of important African-American women, such as Wilma Rudolph and her strength, the bold Rosa Parks, Katherine Johnson with her incredible ingenuity and Nina Simone.

Roberto Zanetti is joined by Massimo Chiarella at the drums, Luca Pisani with his double-bass and Valerio Pontrandolfo and his sax – with a contribution by the actor Nicolò Sordo, reciting voice.

1. Mother Afrika (Intro)
2. Bud’s Power
3. Black Boy
4. Ballad for Afrika
5. Wilma Rudolph (A Black Gazelle)
6. Jungle Mood
7. Rosa Parks
8. Great Nina
9. Katherine Johnson
10. La Concha
11. Avalon Blues
12. Mother Afrika (Ending) [Explicit]

This quite breathtakingly translucent new album opens on the beautiful gossamer balladry of the traditional title track Mother Afrika (Intro) and then seamlessly follows that with gently fervent, flirtatious Bud’s Power, the harmonious swing of Black Boy, the stoically charged Ballad for Afrika, the finger-snapping rhythms of Wilma Rudolph (A Black Gazelle) and then comes the aptly-named Jungle Mood.

Up next is one of my own personal favorites on this wonderfully impassioned new album, the free flowing majestic harmonies found within Rosa Parks and that is in turn followed by the ambient Great Nina, the fun and perky rhythms of Katherine Johnson, the album rounding out on the gently fervent pairing of the upright bass-led La Concha and the sax-led Avalon Blues, the album coming to a close on an aching Mother Afrika (Ending).

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