L'UOVO DI COLOMBO

Not quite the Italian prog monster some make it out to be, in fact I find this album a bit overrated. The group released this one and only album in 1973 on the EMI/Columbia label (some pressings are on the EMI/Odeon label, which was simply an alternate print, since they both use the same catalog number, with only the "Odeon" logo pasted over the "Columbia" logo on the Odeon versions). The band consisted of Enzo Volpini on keyboards and guitars, Elio Volpini on bass and guitar, Roggero Stefani on drums, and Toni Gionta on vocals. A certain T. Tartarini (as well as the band members) is credited to writing the material to this album. I presume this was Tony Tartarini, future vocalist for CHERRY FIVE.

L'UOVO DI COLOMBO is an ELP-influenced prog band, while many other ELP-influenced bands get a lot of mileage off "Tarkus", this band seems to get their mileage off their debut, specifically "Knife Edge". A perfect example of that "Knife Edge" vibe is "Vox Dei". The first two pieces "L'Indecisione" and "Io" is typical for L'UOVO DI COLOMBO, not exactly the most complex prog out there, simply grooving on the Hammond organ in that ELP fashion, but you wished the music would take off. "Anja" is one of the few detours where the band ends up sounding like SEMIRAMIS (complete with Eminent, a string organ) or NEW TROLLS circa N.T. ATOMIC SYSTEM. "Turba" is a totally killer instrumental piece with guitar work that just totally blows me away, with the keyboards trying to catch up. No doubt the highlight for me. "Consiglio" is another one of those "Knife-Edge" like songs, while "Visione Della Morte" attempts for a PFM-style, but falls flat on its face, no doubt helped by that useless drum solo, places where the music didn't reach an intense climax.

In conclusion, the album is a bit too uneven for my liking, and I've heard a lot better Italian prog albums. Don't overspend (I didn't, despite that I own the Odeon vinyl - you're better off finding the CD reissue than the original LP).