AVIOLINEE UTOPIA

Being a prog addict is such a difficult status to handle, you know. Actually, this situation can change you into an overtly depressed guy, always hiding behind your own spectacles, afraid to show a now forgotten smile lost into your own beard's hair. In such circumstances, you'll do anything to help you out at recovering a decent life. To consolidate your faith in the progressive idioma, you'll surprise yourself at being suddenly open to eveything that would gently crosses your ears. Including not being anymore able to recognize what's progressive from what's not. And that's probably what happened with the first Aviolinee Utopia who is, for me, far more close to something like Faith No More, saying a decent alternative rock act, than Echolyn, Area or Van Der Graaf Generator... Aviolinee Utopia does have its moments, but we are here definitely in a more mainstream category than what you could actually expect from Mellow Records.

A very proficient Italian six-piece combo, Aviolinee Utopia delivers a jazz-oriented style in their progressively structured music which fans of fusion will surely find delightful from 'listen one'. The band consists of: Giuliano Lott on lead voice and percussion, Christian Logli on saxes, Andrea Pergher on guitars, Narcy Parillo on bass, Giuliano Plotegher on piano and keyboards, and Michele on drums and percussion. Their eponymous CD is their one and only release, so far. Aviolinee's musical direction follows the same path as other Italian jazz-oriented prog bands, e.g., Deus Ex Machina. That is, a mixture of swift and well-crafted rhythm patterns, freely developed melodies, and a ferocious, passionate singing. The key influences here are second era-Van der Graaf Generator and 80´s era-King Crimson (in their jazzier aspect), with some added Canterbury hints. Giuliano Lott's intrepid use of a wide range of vocal tones and enthusiastic humming easily remind the listener of a mixture of the legendary Demetrio Stratos with Peter Hammill, not unlike Deus Ex Machina's vocalist. Meanwhile, the five musicians' performances, specially during the many instrumental passages, display a certain degree of exhibitionism (mostly on sax and guitar) and a well-matched, fluid sense of ensemble. Though the faster numbers are predominant in this recording (e.g., 'Timone Del Cielo'. 'Marsiglia', 'Integralisti Alegrini'), there are also some notable moments full of serenity and relaxation (e.g., 'Ripetizioni'). The last track in this CD, '1 Cmq. Di Cielo', is also the longest, which gives the band enough space to exhibit their sense of diversity within one single song... though, strictly speaking, the guys of AU don't really need that mauch space to impress the listener. In conclusion, a highly recommended work from one of the most interesting current bands from Italy, a country that doesn't seem to stop generating great prog music.

Now this a real meaty album that will certainly please many fans of progressive rock. AVIOLINEE UTOPIA consists of 6 Italian musicians of the highest calibre who each bring a different dimension into the recording. Being such a suberb and clear recording enables each musician here to be distinctly heard. AVIOLINEE UTOPIA blend elements of classic prog with Jazz giving the listener something to think about. The album is very challenging, but never gets too loud or busy to lose the audience. At times I almost get an ECHOLYN feeling, but this is not an ECHOLYN off-shoot. AVIOLINEE UTOPIA get into some real proggy grooves and seem to hit a wide range of moods and emotions for the listener. Vocals are in Italian, but are superb and fit the music very well. Highly recommended!