snobb Enrico Rava is for sure one of best known Italian jazz artist and the one who opened world jazz scene to his country musicians some decades ago.The problem with his music (at least for me) is after short innovative early period (one time he was even a member of Steve Lacy band) he was contracted by ECM and switched to much more safe chamber jazz.Besides of all series of quality but often openly boring ECM releases during these decades Enrico released lot of albums on Italian labels, the problem with music "for domestic market" is you need to be Italian to love it (well polished melodic,often melancholic and even cheesy songs in big quantities aren't good for health I'm sure,unless you grew up on romantic operas sounding around). But knowing all this I regularly try to listen one or another new (for me) Rava's album - he's a master who still can be unpredictable in moments.

"Live At Birdland" is no way Rava's revolutionary album, but it is the one I listen quite often. The music here is recorded live during Rava's concert in jazz club in Germany, he plays as soloist supported by competent German post-bop quartet (the only artist I'm familiar with from this band is drummer Dejan Terzic).Sound is excellent, all musicians are in great form and this music represents successful for Rava's releases formula - all supporting band perfectly knows their role and they do their best: competent, almost precise "German" sound fits surprisingly well to warm, emotional Rava's soloing without pushing all the music to dangerous "dolce" zone.

Rava plays two his originals and three standards,including "My Funny Valentine", but nothing sounds too predictable or boring. Clever balance between neo-bop,funky rhythms,bossa and even waltz and reggae,all with light Italian romantic flavor shows Rava's in his best.Not the best artist's work for sure, but the one you will listen repeatedly and not without pleasure.