Arrivo Gli Alieni (2015)

"The pianist has made solo albums before but nothing quite like this, where he not only plays concert grand but also Fender Rhodes and, on a few tracks, sings too. His exuberant style, his technical facility and his sense of fun are clear throughout, from the opening, funky "Alleanza" and a darkly toned, choppily-rhymed romp through Italys most popular song "Quando, Quando, Quando" to Ary Barrosos "Aquarela Do Brasil", the soul-jazz evergreen, Horace Silvers "The Preacher" and Duke Ellingtons "Mount Harissa", closing with the classic ballad "You Dont Know What Love Is". Along the way there are originals and more popular songs. Bollani adds his vocals to the albums title tune (it translates as "Aliens Are Coming") and on "Microchip". Both are sharp, fast-talking and clearly witty. Bollanis touch, and the sound he gets from the Fender Rhodes richly metallic but never harsh add to the sonic pleasure of what is an album of bubbling joy." (Peter Bacon, The Jazz Breakfast)