Ali e Radici

On ALI E RADICI, his first all-new album in four years and tenth album overall, Italian singer-songwriter Eros Ramazzotti once again worked closely with longtime collaborator Claudio Guidetti, who is credited as co-producer and with co-writing ten of the 11 songs. The result is in many ways a typical Ramazzotti album. The songs are both lyrical and vocal showcases for Ramazzotti, and though the music is secondary, it's nonetheless amazing. Moreover, ALI E RADICI is a dynamic album that ranges from the album-opening kick-start of "Appunti E Note" to the lilting piano pop of "Affetti Personali." While all of this is in many ways typical for a Ramazzotti album, his post-millennial output in particular, ALI E RADICI is a better all-around effort than his preceeding albums. The album sounds inspired and focused, as if the four years since CALMA APPARENTE helped refresh Ramazzotti's creativity. This may be his best overall album in years, and while it's not brimming with potential smash hits (the perfect lead single "Parla con Me" being the exception), it's definitely filled with highlights and lacks the filler that sometimes found its way onto previous albums.