Bruno Dorella has been one of the most active musicians and producers of the Italian independent circuit (but not only of that, actually) over the last few years. His label Bar La Muerte has proven to be corageously eclectic, with a series of high-standard records ranging from no-wave to electronica, from mutant pop to chamber music. Active as a musician with - among others - Ovo (no-wave/grind/improvisation), Lava (power electronics/industrial, now defunct) and Ventolin Orchestra (noise), and as a collaborator with Brusaschetto, Rollerball etc., he now presents his most personal creature Ronin. Aided by members of Alba and RUNI, and by Jacopo Andreini (Nando Meet Corrosion, E-Neem, Bz Bz Ueu, Enfance Rouge, Frigorifero Produzioni and a thousand more) on drums and sax, he has written a handful of songs which will probably surprise many listeners. Think of (lots of) Morricone, Badalamenti, Calexico, Godspeed You Black Emperor, some Aerial M… Melancholic melodies, epic and nocturnal atmospheres delivered with a gentle touch... A sort of mariachi band ("Ronin Theme") colliding with an Eastern European ensemble ("Canzone d'amore moldava"), but also an incredible solo track ("Nada") with a guitar playing which is both essential and moving. All this in just 3 tracks + outro. I'm stunned. This is close to perfection, and I wonder where the full-length cd (just recorded, with the addition of cello and upright bass) will carry them.