"SQUARE ONE" the first album by Italian-born Davide Mantovani shows his instinctive flair for writing - previously a well kept secret.

As a bass player Davide Mantovani has proved himself in the short time he's been in the UK playing with Monica Vasconcelos, Ingrid Laubrock, Ian Carr's Nucleus, Carol Grimes, Great Spirit, Roberto Pla and Antonio Forcione amongst many others. His writing for some of these artists immediately caught the eye and it was only a matter of time before he wrote and produced his own album.

Davide Mantovani has drawn on his knowledge and feel for world music and created an album with textures from South America, the Caribbean and Eastern Europe infused with jazz. This truly is a fusion album but one where the compositions take centre stage.

Jazz-rock fusion, the most maligned and misunderstood genre in jazz, has nonetheless shown that, by its vitality and great variety of manifestations, it has as much validity as any other form. It's some 30 years since the genre appeared and the two band leaders here, both in their thirties, have found dynamic new things to say in the form. Avishai Cohen and Davide Mantovani are virtuoso bassists and gifted composer-arrangers: the former was born in Israel and is now resident in the USA and the latter, born in Italy, now lives in London.

Square One is so named because it is Mantovani's debut album, and it's a very impressive beginning. His basic group is a quintet without any low brass instruments and so the general sound is lighter and airier than that of the Cohen band. Again there is much detail in the composing, much variety in the music, excellent musicianship and one or two echoes from the past. The opening piece 'Promenade' evokes the poetic spirit of Eberhard Weber's music with it's soprano sax lead and deft changes of pace. 'Brotherly' has an easy loping Latin rock feel and a catchy melody, with a big percussion outing and excellent solos from Beaujolais's vibes and Hunt's acoustic guitar. 'Walking at Shiva's Pace' has a wonderfully slow and sparse rhythm and spare melody reminiscent of Zawinul, with a marvellous soprano solo by Gerry Hunt. Steve Lodder shines on the fast Latin 'Beyond Fear', and the rhythm section is excellent throughout.