PORTABLE MADNESS

Reputedly the place were Sensations' Fix were recording their albums was a farm house near Florence, where they had built their own studio.While ''Fragments of light'' was more of a demo-like effort, the next work of the band ''Portable madness'' marked their first properly recording attempt, composed entirely by Falsini and produced by Filippo Milani.It was issued in 1975 on Polydor.

With this album Sensations' Fix turn a bit towards more rocking-based textures, defined by the many isolated guitar parts, but they still show a preference towards a very spacious sound.The music had become more complex with a great combination of neurotic analog synthesizers and sinister bass lines, interrupted often by heavier guitar moves and spacey distortions.Instead of building their style on the TANGERINE DREAM principles and the MIKE OLDFIELD-like textures, they went on for a more personal sound, which now included melancholic atmospheres, dramatic Electronic moods and pounding beats.Falsini had established his own way to combine synth manipulations with spacey guitar vibes, delivered via odd grooves, intricate solos and even some bombastic, still trippy moments.Gone are the long hypnotic parts of the debut and the whole material here sounds much more energetic and passionate with dual keyboard experiments, always surrounded by the solid bass work and drumming.The album is entirely instrumental and, unlike many works of the style, it shows a strong sense of careful structuring with limited loose parts and very tight composing.

Great work of synth-based Space Rock with series of unique atmospheres.Better than Sensations' Fix'es debut, featuring a good bunch of electric moves among the thunderous synth lines.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.