The Italian alto and soprano saxophonist Rosario Giuliani has proven his chops in a series of recordings for Dreyfus Records including More Than Ever, Luggage, and Mr. Dodo. Giuliani is joined on 2007's Anything Else by a crack band including bassist Rémi Vignolo, drummer Benjamin Henocq, trumpeter Flavio Boltro, and pianist Dado Moroni. While the solos are intense on pieces like Walking Around and Conversation, it is interesting that few of the compositions are long by jazz standards, which keeps the structure of each piece tight. Most of the pieces are Giuliani originals, save for Three Angels and Hagi Mistery, written by Moroni, and Invisible, by Ornette Coleman. The album starts strongly with the free-flowing title track, with both Boltro and Giuliani offering intense solos against the backdrop of a propulsive rhythm section. Within these three- to six-minute pieces like Blowout, the players pack a full though never crowded sonic impact, providing solid band support for individual flights of fancy. Giuliani is also smart to vary the pacing, pairing pieces like Blowout with the gentler Danae. Anything Else closes with Moroni's bouncy Hagi Mistery, featuring an incredible bassline by Vignolo, and a real workout by Moroni. Anything Else proves to be a fine follow-up and an intensely performed set. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., Rovi

1		Anything Else
2		Blow Out
3		Danae
4		Invisible
5		This Is the Answer
6		Backfire
7		A Winter Day
8		Conversation
9		My Angel
10		Walking Around
11		Three Angels
12		Hagi Mistery

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