Mario Guarini’s latest album, Enjoy The Journey, marks a shift for the Italian bassist, composer, and producer. Rather than striving to prove his technical prowess, Guarini has focused on storytelling, a transition he describes as a conscious decision to embrace the creative process itself. The album, released in February 2026, is a culmination of years of study, international touring, and collaborations with leading musicians.
Guarini explained that his previous work was often burdened by the pressure to demonstrate his abilities. “When I recorded my first album, I felt a lot of pressure to prove something, to give my best, and this prevented me from fully enjoying every step,” he said. Enjoy The Journey represents a deliberate slowing down, a commitment to savoring each phase of creation – from writing to pre-production, and finally, recording with a stellar cast of international guests.
The ten tracks on Enjoy The Journey span a diverse range of genres, including blues, soul, funk, flamenco, and various ethnic influences. However, Guarini emphasized the importance of maintaining sonic cohesion despite this stylistic breadth. “Everything starts from my instrument,” he stated. “I gave myself a precise rule: every track must work even played solo with the bass, much like Jaco Pastorius’s Continuum.” This approach ensures that the bass remains central, providing a consistent thread throughout the album’s diverse soundscape.
The album features a remarkable lineup of collaborators, including Vinnie Colaiuta, Victor Wooten, Oz Noy, and Michael Pipoquinha. Guarini didn’t treat these musicians as mere guests, but as integral partners in a dialogue within carefully structured arrangements. He noted that the collaborations often began with a specific vision for each artist’s contribution. For example, the Brazilian-influenced track was conceived with Michael Pipoquinha in mind, prompting Guarini to delve deeper into the genre to ensure authenticity.
Guarini’s creative process prioritizes detailed pre-production. He provides musicians with comprehensive demos and sheet music, allowing them to focus on interpretation rather than formal aspects of the compositions. “The pre-production is one of my ‘secret weapons’,” he said. “The demos and sheet music are extremely detailed. In the studio, we can dedicate ourselves exclusively to the execution, allowing the personality of the guests to emerge without distractions.”
The decision to utilize his MTD 535 bass, which he has owned since 1996, throughout the album was as well deliberate, intended to maintain a consistent timbre. “The timbre has remained substantially the same,” Guarini explained. “It’s the instrument with which I recorded this album, and it guarantees sonic continuity.”
Looking ahead, Guarini will be touring with Claudio Baglioni this summer, presenting a newly recorded live version of La Vita È Adesso. He also plans to continue promoting Enjoy The Journey and sharing his experiences with students and musicians.