Alto saxophonist Mario Schiano singing standards! No, this is not a typo; you read it right. Italian avant-garde lion, Mario Schiano, with more than forty albums under his name, and known for his work with leading free-style players from around the world, has finally succumbed to the commercial itch, and dropped his horn, lovingly cooing through "My Funny Valentine," "All of Me," "Embraceable You," "Yesterdays," "It Had to be You," and eight other gems. Backed by a fine mainstream Italian quintet, Schiano gives it all he's got, lovingly speaking the lyrics (in English, with Italian accent) as much as singing them. It is doubtful that Schiano will win any awards, but it is lots of fun anyway. Schiano's gravelly voice belies his impeccable phrasing; though, when all is said and done, a Frank Sinatra he's not. Still, there is something touchingly appealing about the project. For admirers of the Italian, this CD is a "must-have," if only for its novelty. ~ Steve Loewy
