"Boston's Berklee College of Music has been associated with more than its share of distinctive guitarists, and faculty member Giovanni Moltoni certainly belongs on that list. His Openground (C#2 120030609)—a collection of nine original compositions, performed alone and with two other Berklee teachers—shows a musician with a broad conception that ranges from pastoral acoustic settings to a hard-edged electric approach with plenty of growling sustain. Moltoni employs unusual tunings and has a harmonic sensibility that leans toward open, ringing chords. On several pieces with bassist Paul Del Nero and drummer Bob Tamagni there's a propulsive energy that is reminiscent of the recordings Kevin Eubanks made with bassist Dave Holland for Blue Note in the early 90's. Del Nero is a particularly flexible bassist, demonstrating both a fleet-fingered approach on "Look At The Bright Side" and a dark, meditative tone elsewhere. Relatively brief at just 46 minutes, Openground covers a lot of territory.

May/June issue of Coda
James Hale