Following the expansive beauty of Sketches of Tallinn, Rossano Snel takes a confident step in a different direction with The Fire In The Forest. While his gift for atmosphere remains intact, ‘Try It With A Little Tenderness’ introduces a more rhythmic, ensemble-driven approach, built around the interplay of piano, Hammond organ, and drums. The result is a piece that values momentum as much as melody, allowing subtle changes to shape its emotional arc.
The track is driven by a hypnotic piano motif that steadily anchors the composition while the drums establish a relaxed yet persistent groove. Rather than chasing dramatic peaks, Snel lets repetition become expressive, with the Hammond organ gradually enriching the arrangement through warm, soulful textures. The music unfolds naturally, balancing precision with an understated sense of spontaneity that reflects the chemistry of a working band.
Talking about the track, Snel says:
“I wrote Try It With A Little Tenderness right before going to a festival nearby Berlin in the summer of 2023.
I was about to play there and had a feeling my set was not as solid as I wanted. So I was looking for new tracks to play, since my set would be just me, the piano, another synth and a kick pedal.
Experimenting on the piano, I found the first loop of the song, that 4 bar pattern in Ab and Cm. Three days later I played the song for the 1st time on the festival, and the crowd went crazy. Was literally just me on the piano and making a 4 on the floor beat on a Roland electronic kickdrum pedal.
Some months later on the studio, the song developed ti the sound it has on the recording, when piano, hammond and drums were recorded.
I really like the vibe of this song, and it talks a lot about the music I like to make, where rhythmical patterns and subtle changes of harmony work together and have a sort of a slow burning build up.”
‘Try It With A Little Tenderness’ signals an exciting new chapter for Snel. Blending jazz harmony with touches of soul and instrumental groove, it expands his musical vocabulary without losing the thoughtful character that has always defined his work. It is an inviting preview of a two-track project that embraces rhythm, collaboration, and quiet musical confidence.
