by Steph Cosme
Dom Cicchetti is a musician with many hats. He is a composer, orchestrator, keyboardist, guitarist, and sonic architect. On his latest album, Candy Apple, Cicchetti merges these roles into a seven-track expression of smooth fusion that is thoughtfully constructed and melodically irresistible. Drawing from decades of experience spanning jazz, R&B, Latin, and cinematic music, he presents a collection of seven original tracks that foreground groove, texture, and storytelling.
The album opens with “Jump to It,” a rhythm-forward invitation into Cicchetti’s world. The groove is immediately infectious, energized by Dave Weckl’s precision drumming, Bill Hayes’ percussion, and Paul Adamy’s grounding bass. But it’s the melodic shape that catches the ear with a lyrical and playful phrase capped with a snaking cadential figure that introduces Cicchetti’s keyboard voice as both singer and engine. After a rhythmic breakdown, he builds a finely sculpted solo that traces the contour of the tune with clarity and poise, never grandstanding, always singing.
The title track, “Candy Apple,” settles into a smoother, more relaxed terrain without sacrificing musical depth. It’s a modern lounge-fusion composition with a melodic structure that lingers. Jon Herington’s guitar solo is fluid and expressive, blending melodic charm with subtle technical agility. Cicchetti’s harmonies support with grace, offering an ideal backdrop for Herington’s lyrical phrasing. Wes Little’s drums and Hayes’s percussion keep things in the pocket and propulsive.
With “PCH,” we’re transported into sunlit territory. This is West Coast jazz with a fusion heart, colored by Paula Atherton’s radiant saxophone lines and flute phrases. Her interplay with Cicchetti is conversational and natural. The pianist’s solo is filled with kinetic motion, leaping to the groove, always in dialogue with Tom Pisani’s sensitive drumming.
“Sunlight” changes the pace with pastoral cinema introspection. Mick Gaffney’s electric guitar sings softly while David Finck’s acoustic bass resonates with warmth. Felipe Salles adds expressive saxophone and flute textures, furthering the track’s cinematic flair. Cicchetti’s use of harmonic color and pedal tones throughout the piece displays a deep understanding of voice-leading and atmospheric shaping. The cadential release near the close is especially satisfying and reflects Cicchetti’s instinct for structural payoff.
“Intricate Journey” is a fusion-driven offering. Texturally layered and compositionally lucid, it moves through shifting rhythms and motivic fragments with assurance. Dave Weckl’s drumming dazzles in a climactic solo, matched by Jerry Vivino’s nuanced flute work. Cicchetti’s compositional architecture shines through with his building in layers, using pedal tones and rhythmic cells to generate tension and eventual catharsis.
“Ode to A Friend” reveals Cicchetti’s sensitivity to creating keyboard and synth tone and balance, particularly in his use of layering. Synth bass, piano, and tasteful pads create a lush environment for Baron Raymonde’s saxophone to emote freely. The Latin-tinged groove from drummer Frank Dickinson and guitarist John Henderson gives the piece a gentle sway, but it’s the detailed sound design that elevates it as each keyboard timbre is carefully chosen, contributing to the track’s sonic identity.
The album closes with “Nightime,” a slow-burning finale that radiates sensuality and introspection. Here, Cicchetti constructs the track’s entire frame, from synth bass and digital drums to ambient pads and melodic leads. His playing is restrained, expressive, and utterly convincing. Dave Lavender’s guitar adds the final emotional brushstrokes, and Hayes’ percussion keeps the groove dancing with a mood that lingers.
Throughout Candy Apple, Cicchetti demonstrates what it means to write and play from the inside as melodies are hummable and architectural. Textures are sculpted. Grooves serve the song, not the other way around. At every turn, his work on this album is about balance: intellect and feeling, form and freedom, digital and acoustic, memory and motion.
Candy Apple is a refined and heartfelt project. It’s an album that will reward those attuned to the nuances of lyrical smooth fusion. That’s the short of it!
