Francesco Fratini, Giuseppe Romagnoli & Matteo Bultrini - Queen Size (2023) [Official Digital Download 24/48]

“Rome has something to say.” This is the message trumpeter Francesco Fratini delivers on his sensual, cool-as-can-be debut EP Homemade that dropped on March 11, 2022. The Italian native cut his teeth during a years-long residency in New York, returning to his hometown Rome with a deep love for Black American music, and a desire to lead the way in building up his city’s jazz scene. Working as a collective with longtime friends Giuseppe Romagnoli (bass) and Matteo Bultrini (drums), Fratini has created a set of originals that melds elements of cool jazz, bebop, and hip hop, mixing in a few timeless classics for good measure. It is a debut that puts the rest of the world, New York included, on notice.

“I want a platform so that people who are into this music can know about what we do here in the Rome scene,” says Fratini. “We wanted other people — in Rome, in Italy, and in the world, why not — to know what’s happening here, because I think it’s valuable.”

Fratini and his trio prove themselves masters at setting a mood. “Low Stress Training” offers a whimsical melody over bebop changes, with a cheeky reference to growing weed thrown in. “Marta” is a hushed, hip-hop inspired ode to Fratini’s sister. And “Orari Nostri” is a smooth, blue-tinged “tune dedicated to people who live life at unconventional hours,” shares Fratini.

Across all of Homemade, there’s a relaxed, unhurried quality to the music of Fratini and company. With all their skill and chemistry, they are constantly choosing to create space and let notes linger. There’s magic in how they invite you into what they are doing. It is jazz with the style and comfort of fine Italian tailoring.

Francesco Fratini, trumpet
Giuseppe Romagnoli, bass
Matteo Bultrini, drums

Tracklist:
01. Queen Size
02. Neo Tokyo 3
03. Pane Amore E Collera
04. Interludio
05. Paganico
06. Cleopatra
07. Per Carlo
08. Uscita Dai Blocchi
09. Bloody Mary
10. I Love You Madly


Thanks to the Original customer!