DNA

Jumbo are a very interesting Italian prog band who owe less to the classically inspired symphonic bands that were prevalent in that country and more to the blues laden sound of early Jethro Tull. They blend powerful and bombastic sections with much use of acoustic instrumentation creating an exciting dynamic sound.

Suite Per Il Sig. K opens the album and took up the first side in the good old days of vinyl. It's perhaps Jumbo's finest moment. A lone piano leads the way for acoustic guitar and flute and into a heavier section with stabbing organ and raw electric guitar. Equally raw is the emotive vocals of Alvaro Fella who may not be to everyone's taste. The piece moves through sections of powerful instrumental soloing, bluesy acoustic guitar, mouth organ, flute and piano dominated quieter moments to Jethro Tull inspired sections. The subtle build three quarters of the way in is fantastic as the organ solos away over the top. This really is excellent stuff and if the entire album was this good would easily warrant five stars. However the rest of the album doesn't quite live up to the set standard.

Miss Rand, though having its moments disappoints and after a promising start develops into a kind of ragtime/honky tonk style song. E' Brutto Sentirsi Vecchi, an acoustic track is better showing off Fella's expressive vocal delivery perfectly. Best of all on side 2 though is Hai Visto..., which returns to the standard set on Suite Per Il Sig. K. With a strong jazz flavour in parts.

Jumbo wont be to everyone's taste's but if you've already explored the more obvious RPI gems of Banco, PFM and Le Orme and are looking for something a bit different then they could be the band for you.