Appreciate you sharing your thoughts, Rok, Can't say I'm surprised. Can't say I agree entirely. Ultimately, it doesn't matter. I will still enjoy the Meltemi recording whatever music type it's considered. Although I continue to think it IS jazz. Jazz written and recorded by Italian musicians in Italy. That's all I meant by "Italian Jazz". I do readily admit Mayall's Jazz Blues Fusion doesn't seem all that "jazzy" to me. I only brought that one up because Blue Mitchell is on it.
This whole "It's Jazz/It's NOT Jazz" discussion has been done to death in this thread. Much rather talk about the music. For starters what do you like or not like about that Meltemi recording? What about it does or doesn't fit Wynton's view (or yours) of jazz?? Myself, I'm now curious about that Corky Siegel or Jean Rampal. What's so bad about 'em? (although on the latter, I got a feeling I will probably feel the same way were I to hear it).