Italian cellist and composer Giovanni Sollima is regarded by many as a post-minimalist, and indeed one hears in some of his compositions the rigorous and formalistic elements of other composers who built upon the foundations of Philip Glass and Steve Reich. However, Sollima brings warmth and certainly exuberance and passion to his music and playing -- not to mention what might be seen as a flair for showmanship -- entirely removed from the arguably mechanistic and academic side of minimalist-based music, drawing upon European and especially Mediterranean folk, Middle Eastern music, electronica, and more to enliven his art. He is no stranger to grand gestures, including swooping glissandos, rhythmic pizzicato accents, and aggressive, even abrasive bowing, yet Sollima can also bring an understated delicacy to his composing and playing. ~ Dave Lynch