Zucchero & Co. CD

Italian pop star Zucchero has never hidden his love of American music. In fact, on much of this album--a collection of his artistic collaborations dating from 1988 to 2004--his appreciation for blues and jazz, in particular, is on full display.

The most striking song on ZUCCHERO & CO. is "Dune Mosse," which pairs the singer with legendary jazz trumpeter Miles Davis for a dreamy track that tips its hat to Davis's revered KIND OF BLUE era. Zucchero's blues leanings are revealed on a number of tunes, most notably on "A Wonderful World" (with Eric Clapton) and "Diavolo in Me (A Devil in Me)" (with Solomon Burke), the disc's most energetic song. Regardless of the collaborator, Zucchero's full-bodied vocals stand out, particularly on emotive pop songs, including his cover of "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" (with Vanessa Carlton). For fans of American pop that are unfamiliar with Zucchero, this dynamic set is an ideal introduction.

Arranger: Lester Snell.

Personnel: Zucchero (vocals, Mellotron); Eric Clapton, B.B. King (vocals, guitar); Dolores O'Riordan, Fher, John Lee Hooker, Lisa Hunt, Macy Gray, Mana , Andrea Bocelli, Paul Young, Sergio, Solomon Burke, Sting, Vanessa Carlton, Sheryl Crow, Luciano Pavarotti, New Orleans Gospel Choir, Chance, Cheb Mami (vocals); Arthur Miles (spoken vocals, background vocals); Jeff Beck, Ruggero Robin (guitar); Dominique Miller (acoustic guitar, 12-string guitar); Luciano Luisi (acoustic guitar, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Hammond b-3 organ, keyboards, ARP synthesizer, programming); Corrado Rustici (electric guitar, keyboards, programming); Massimo Feltham (dobro); Haylie Ecker (violin); Mark Feltham (harmonica); Miles Davis (trumpet); David Sancious (Fender Rhodes piano, Hammond b-3 organ); Peter John Vettese (organ); Pino Palladino, Polo Jones, Gaetano Diodato (bass instrument); Benny Rietveld (bass guitar); Michael Urbano, Steve Gadd, Zachary Alford, Giorgio Francis (drums); John O'Brien (programming); Aida, Mino Vergnaghi, Sharon White, Lawrence Johnson , James Thomson , Michelle John-Douglas, Simona Pirone (background vocals).

Recording information: 1988 - 2004.