adEIdJ – Associazione delle Etichette Indipendenti di Jazz

Press Release

UP! è il nuovo album del Modern Times Ensemble, collettivo jazz-fusion internazionale guidato dal chitarrista, compositore e produttore Paolo Montrone. Dopo l'album d'esordio Connections (AlfaMusic, 2022), accolto con interesse da critica e pubblico in Europa, Giappone e Americhe, UP! rappresenta un deciso passo avanti, ampliando il linguaggio musicale, la scrittura e la visione produttiva del progetto. L’album vede la partecipazione di guest artist di primo piano della scena internazionale, coinvolti per arricchire ulteriormente la tavolozza sonora dell’ensemble. Tra questi figurano Mike Mainieri, fondatore degli Steps Ahead, Allen Hinds, Travis Carlton, Donald Barrett, Matt Rohde, il produttore Jimmy Bralower e il sassofonista Paul Booth. Completano il quadro il cantante Giorgio Alessani, che apporta una forte componente espressiva e narrativa, e il sassofonista Mimmo Malandra, il cui contributo unisce linguaggio jazz e suggestioni cinematografiche. Il cuore del progetto è rappresentato dalla formazione del Modern Times Ensemble, un gruppo di musicisti con un’identità sonora ben definita e una lunga esperienza internazionale: Paolo Montrone – chitarre elettriche e acustiche, melodica; compositore, arrangiatore, produttore, Ursula Gerstbach – voce solista, arrangiamenti vocali, Arcangelo Trabucco – tastiere, Adam Alesi – batteria, Itaiguara Brandão – basso, C.J. Rhen – fiati, Drew Herter – trombone, Tito Planas – trombone

Le loro collaborazioni con artisti di rilievo internazionale contribuiscono a rafforzare la solidità artistica e la credibilità del progetto.

Dal punto di vista musicale, UP! unisce raffinatezza compositiva e forte senso del groove. Le armonie sono ricche e curate, le voci e i fiati costruiscono trame dense ma sempre leggibili, mentre la sezione ritmica si muove con naturalezza tra pulsazioni soul-funk, shuffle swinganti ed energia urbana. La chitarra svolge un ruolo narrativo centrale, guidando l’ascolto attraverso un paesaggio sonoro dettagliato ma immediato. Il linguaggio musicale è al tempo stesso accessibile e sofisticato, pensato per premiare l’ascolto attento senza rinunciare all’impatto emotivo. Le influenze — da Steely Dan a Weather Report, da Steps Ahead a The Manhattan Transfer, passando per Rickie Lee Jones, Jay Graydon… — emergono come riferimenti culturali più che come citazioni dirette, all’interno di una cifra personale, contemporanea e riconoscibile. I testi sono parte integrante del progetto. Raccontati “di lato”, combinano ironia, umorismo e uno sguardo lucido sulla contemporaneità: un mondo iperconnesso, inquieto, a tratti surreale, ma profondamente umano. Dalle immagini cosmiche (Golden Key, Oumuamua) ai ritratti ironici della vita quotidiana (Royal Pillow, Heel and Toe), le canzoni invitano alla riflessione senza perdere slancio, mantenendo un equilibrio costante tra racconto e ritmo.

Produzione: Registrato tra Los Angeles, New York, Roma, Vienna, Zurigo e Pescara, l’album è stato mixato e masterizzato da Alessandro Guardia presso gli AlfaMusic Studios di Roma, con Self Portrait mixato e masterizzato da Jimmy Bralower a New York. Il risultato è una produzione calda, chiara e profonda, capace di valorizzare sia la complessità degli arrangiamenti sia l’immediatezza delle performance.

ENGLISH 

UP! is the new album by Modern Times Ensemble, the international jazz-fusion collective led by guitarist, composer, and producer Paolo Montrone. Following the critically acclaimed debut Connections—which gained attention across Europe, Japan, and the Americas—UP! marks a confident artistic step forward, expanding the ensemble’s musical language, production depth, and narrative scope.

Guest Artists 

UP! features an exceptional lineup of international guest artists, brought together to broaden the ensemble’s sonic palette and expressive range. Among them are legendary vibraphonist Mike Mainieri (founder of Steps Ahead; Paul Simon, Dire Straits; Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame 2023), guitar virtuoso Allen Hinds (Roberta Flack, Randy Crawford, Gino Vannelli), bassist Travis Carlton (Larry Carlton, Scott Henderson, Robben Ford), drummer Donald Barrett (Pink, Lady Gaga, Seal), keyboardist Matt Rohde (Jane’s Addiction, Christina Aguilera), GRAMMY-nominated producer Jimmy Bralower (Billy Joel, Carly Simon, Al Jarreau), and saxophonist Paul Booth (Steve Winwood, Steely Dan, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Incognito).

Also featured are vocalist Giorgio Alessani (Toots Thielemans, Anne Sila, André Ceccarelli), who adds a distinctive lyrical and expressive dimension, and saxophonist Mimmo Malandra (Ennio Morricone, Nicola Piovani), whose contribution bridges jazz language with a strong cinematic sensibility.

Core Ensemble - Modern Times Ensemble

At the heart of the project is the core Modern Times Ensemble, whose long-standing collaboration defines the group’s identity: 

• Paolo Montrone – electric & acoustic guitars, melodica; composer, arranger, producer (studied engineering and production at The New School, New York; formative experience at Eumir Deodato’s studios and Electric Lady Studios)

• Ursula Gerstbach – lead vocals, vocal arranger (collaborations with Wolfgang Ambros; founding member of Gustav Klingt)

• Arcangelo Trabucco – keyboards (collaborations with Mike Stern, Israel Varela, Rosario Giuliani)

• Adam Alesi – drums (Latin GRAMMY Award winner; collaborations with Aretha Franklin, Richard Carpenter, David Benoit)

• Itaiguara Brandão – bass (Latin GRAMMY Award winner; collaborations with Milton Nascimento, Ivan Lins, Gal Costa, Paquito D’Rivera)

• C.J. Rhen – horns (DownBeat Magazine Student Music Award recipient)

• Drew Herter and Tito Planas – trombone

The Music

Musically, UP! balances sophistication and groove with remarkable fluidity. Rich harmonic writing, layered vocal textures, and carefully crafted horn arrangements coexist with a rhythm section that moves effortlessly between soul-funk pulse, swinging shuffles, and the kinetic energy of urban jazz.

The guitar plays a central narrative role—sometimes subtle and textural, sometimes foregrounded—guiding the listener through a soundscape that feels both detailed and immediately engaging. The music is rhythmically grounded yet harmonically adventurous, designed to reward close listening without losing momentum.

The album draws inspiration from artists who shaped a certain idea of modern, intelligent music—Steely Dan, Weather Report, Steps Ahead, The Manhattan Transfer, Rickie Lee Jones, Jay Graydon...—not as stylistic quotations, but as cultural reference points: music that embraces complexity while remaining emotionally direct and groove-driven.

Lyrics & Narrative

Lyrics are an essential part of the project. Told “sideways,” they combine irony, humor, and a quietly observant take on contemporary life—wired, restless, sometimes absurd, yet deeply human.

From cosmological imagery (Golden Key, Oumuamua) to intimate portraits of everyday disillusion (Royal Pillow, Heel and Toe), the songs invite reflection without losing momentum, balancing narrative depth with rhythmic flow.

Production

Recorded across Los Angeles, New York, Rome, Vienna, Zurich, and Pescara, UP! was mixed and mastered by Alessandro Guardia at AlfaMusic Studios in Rome, with Self Portrait mixed and mastered by Jimmy Bralower in New York. The result is a production that combines clarity, warmth, and depth, serving both the intricacy of the arrangements and the immediacy of the performances.

Quotes

“It was great to collaborate on this beautiful arrangement of Self Portrait—inspiring lyrics and a brilliant vocal performance and arrangement.” Mike Mainieri

“Usually when I get a seven-minute track I’m skeptical, but Self Portrait is well worth the time.” Jason Miles

"Paolo, besides being a great person and a successful businessman,somehow finds the time to be a truly gifted and musical guitarist, writer, and arranger. How is that possible? But it’s true. Proud to call him a good friend!” Allen Hinds 

“Paolo Montrone has put together a crisp, clear and instantly

listenable collection of songs with a group of some of the greatest

musicians from all over the planet - check it out!” Jon Herington 

Track List

1. Golden Key 5.15

2. Blue Book 5.27

3. Saint Martin’s Summertime 5.38

4. Royal Pillow 5.41

5. Come Together 5.38

6. Logical Relation 5.06

7. Heel and Toe 4.51

8. Time Falls 6.13

9. Oumuamua 5.05

10. Arcadian Girls 4.04

11. Self Portrait 8.13

Total Time: 61.35

All songs written by Paolo Montrone (BMI) except:

5 (John Lennon - Paul McCartney),

10 (Giorgio Alessani - Paolo Montrone)

11 (Mike Mainieri, Lyrics Paolo Montrone).

Publishing: Alfa Music Studio (SIAE) except 5 and 11 

Personnel

Ursula Gerstbach Lead Vocals and Vocal Harmonies

Paolo Montrone Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Melodica, Additional Keyboards

Arcangelo Trabucco Acoustic Piano, Rhodes, Hammond B3, Synthesizers**

Adam Alesi Drums and Percussion**

Itaiguara Brandão Electric Bass** C.J. Rhen Saxophones, Trumpet Drew Herter Trombone

Tito Planas Trombone

Horn Arrangements by C.J. Rhen & Paolo Montrone

** Except on “Come Together”

Featured Artists:

Self Portrait 

Mike Mainieri Vibraphone

Paul Booth Saxophone

Come Together 

Allen Hinds Electric and Acoustic Guitars

Travis Carlton Bass

Donald Barrett Drums and Percussion

Matt Rohde Keyboards

Arcadian Girls 

Giorgio Alessani Lead and Backing Vocals

Logical Relation 

Mimmo Malandra Saxophone

Website: moderntimesensemble.com

Facebook: facebook.com/moderntimesensemble

Instagram: @moderntimesensemble40075

YouTube: youtube.com/@ModernTimesEnsemble

Recording Data

Artistic and executive production

Paolo Montrone for AlfaMusic Label&Publishing

Production coordination

Fabrizio Salvatore & Alessandro Guardia (for AlfaMusic)

Recording Locations:

Los Angeles · Vienna · Zurich · New York · London · Pescara · Rome

“Come Together” recorded at Total Access Recording Studios,

Redondo Beach, CA Sound engineer Steve Ornest

Mixing and Mastering

AlfaMusic Studio, Rome

Sound engineer Alessandro Guardia

“Self Portrait” Mixed and Mastered by Jimmy Bralower at Bralower

Productions, New York

Artwork Robin Montrone

Graphic project Maurizio Capuano