Whisky afficionados will assure you that the pleasure of scotch tasting delivers "the" complete sensory experience.  Some have even gone as far as suggesting that the pop of the cork indulges your sense of hearing, if ever so briefly.  Frankly my auditory senses demand a bit more stimulation than one soft "pop".  I believe that well chosen acoustic alchemy enriches each whisky taste encounter.  To that end, we will be providing our recommendations for various music companions in this section of the website.  Our selections will range from jazz and classical to a bit of Scottish soul.  So relax, pour that dram and light the cigar while you turn up the Bose sound system to enter another world, if only for the evening. 

The jazz music connection with scotch seems perfectly clear to me.  Single malts probably found their most enthusiastic patronage in those smoky jazz clubs of the past where Miles and Malt formed a blessed bond.  To carry on that sacred tradition, we offer two CDs that no serious jazz collection should be without.

Italian Jazz Masters:  Point and Counter Point

Upon returning from a fabulous vacation to Italy, I was curious as to the state of the art of contemporary jazz in that country.  If you have not alread discovered this music for yourselves, you are in for a real treat.  This month's spotlight features two of our favorite Italian Jazz Masters:  Enrico Rava and Gianluigi Trovesi.  A nod goes to ECM Records for thankfully sharing these two Jazz Greats with the world.

If Miles were alive today, I'm sure he would be jammin' with Enrico.  Don't be fooled by the title "Easy Living", as this album delivers some serious music.  In fact it is so cool that its way too easy to just dissolve into those deliciously rich trumpet sounds.  Enrico's musical conversations with this instrument have been going on since the mid 60s.  He is arguably one of the most internationally respected Italian Jazz musicians.  We will let you be the judge and discover him on your own by listening to this great CD.  For me his music begs for a smoky dram such as Laphroaig or Lagavulin, perhaps reminescent of those smoky jazz venues where he first connected with his audiences.

As a stunning stylistic counterpoint to the post bebop sounds of Rava, you might want to try "Vaghissimo Ritratto" by another Italian artist Gianluigi Trovesi.  Trovesi's dreamy sound is quite different from the moody and pensive Rava.  The title roughtly translates as vague portrait or hazy impression.  But as the CD liner notes explain there is a deeper hidden Italian meaning suggesting a graceful or beautiful picture.  While Trovesi's music is not easy to describe, the best I can offer is that this esteemed clarinetist paints a profound, complex and completely original musical canvas.  Give this splendid CD a listen the next time you savor a Glenlivet Nadurra 16 year old.

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