Radio Merate Jazz

Radio Merate Jazz from Italy doesn't scream for attention. It settles into the background like a well-worn vinyl. The station curates a sound that's unmistakably Italian, think Enrico Rava's lyrical trumpet or Stefano Di Battista's saxophone work. The playlist balances standards (Chet Baker's ballads) with lesser-known European avant-garde pieces. It's not afraid to go quiet. Some segments repeat too often, but late-night slots redeem it with live-recorded sessions from Milanese clubs. The DJs clearly have deep crates: they'll pull out obscure 1970s Italian fusion alongside contemporary acts l…