Happy Friday!

I want to thank you if you took the time to answer the survey questions last week -- it's been SO helpful to me, and you'll be seeing changes that reflect your advice! (by the by, there's still time if you'd like to weigh in.:))

In light of what I've learned -- I'll be moving to an every--other week format for the pairing, which will make room for other fun things as we go.

Without further ado...

Juice

Everything about Ficomontanino’s “Zacinta Revi” 2022 Tuscan wine is unexpected, and all of it is pleasurable. Maria Sole Giannelli makes it, and her writing about her winemaking speaks elegantly as does the beautiful and offbeat label. (When a winemaker uses a word like “geosensorial” you know you are intelligent and imaginative hands.)

Giannelli describes how observation and action are both essential to her winemaking technique, which I love, and also about how her family legacy of the land inspires her.

This is an orange wine, with a persistent light fizz that swirls in the glass once poured. It’s unfiltered, unfined, organic and made with biodynamic techniques — but the headline is not all the practices but rather the product of them.

This wine is quirky and utterly delicious — a terra-cotta dust nose infused with baked nectarine and apple, and a body that’s both refreshingly spare and also ever-so-slightly caramelized. The finish is a piquant moment of orange zest and chalk. (If it sounds easy to drink, I did my job right!)

Jazz

Drummer Allison Miller and pianist Myra Melford are two artists who marry idiosyncrasy, intellect and aplomb peerlessly on their respective instruments and as composers. Both are heavily inspired by the natural world, and honoring it through sound has been key to both of their oeuvres so far. This is organic jazz at its best!

Their co-led collaboration in the Lux Quartet brings the album “Tomorrowland” (Enja Records, 2024) from which I chose the quirky “Speak Eddie.” Miller’s drums give us a frothy effervescence to start, and the arrangement gives each instrument moments of observation and action — the addition and subtraction make the track dynamic, and really allows us to hear what each musician offers when its their turn to shine.

The energy that infuses the track is fresh, and also inspired by deep lineage -- from its Monk-ish style to its dedication to drummer Eddie Marshall, and most of all in the newness of its improvisatory voices.

Lots of history, lots of technical prowess, all in such a succinct, exploratory and fun track. Hope you dig it enough to give the whole album a listen.

Speak Eddie Myra Melford, Allison Miller... PREVIEW   ​

Cheers!

Truly,

Kristen

P.S.: If you know anyone who'd be having fun here with us, send them to main page to see the archive of posts!:)