Guitarist Giorgio Serci and vocalist Filomena Campus, two Sardinian musicians resident in the UK, have created a captivating cycle of 10 original songs – the music by Serci and all but one of the lyrics by Campus. An outstanding guitarist, Serci accompanies on the classical instrument, his resonant bass notes and precise rhythms providing a firm foundation for Campus' vocal excursions, while dropping in the occasional expressive solo on electric guitar. On the opening track, ‘Hermetico’, dedicated to Hermeto Pascoal, Serci sets a joyful, choppy rhythm together with Brazilian percussionist Adriano Adewale, while Campus' colourful lyric and chirpy vocal flurries celebrate the spirit of its subject. ‘Baltic Spellbound’, a gorgeous melody, is articulated with lightness and clarity by Campus. The unmistakeable sound of Kenny Wheeler's trumpet introduces ‘Momentum’, in which he later weaves a lyrical path through a demanding chord progression in what was to be one of his last recorded solos. The album title Scaramouche alludes to medieval masked theatre performances and, guesting on the title track, Rowland Sutherland conjures up a frenzied dance in an inspired flute solo that seems to spiral ever upwards as if possessed. Giorgio Serci's playing and his writing for this album reveal a musician equally versed in the musical traditions of southern Europe and Brazil as in the harmonic language of contemporary jazz. A sure measure of an arranger is how well they can write for strings and in ‘Campidana’ and ‘Decisions’, both setting his classical guitar alongside the Keld String Ensemble, his score displays true technical skill and emotional depth. That Campus can write such expressive lyrics in English is impressive, but the freshness, vitality and vocal skill that she brings to each song makes this album truly special. Equal care has been applied to the artwork and booklet. Each of the ten tracks has a corresponding photo of a work by leading Sardinian painter and sculptor Giuseppe Carta. Paolo Fresu, the brilliant Sardinian trumpeter, may not actually play on this album, but he describes it perfectly in his sleeve note as “a brilliant bridge between Sardinia and the world”.