QUINTO STATO

A marked step down from previous efforts, although not exactly a sellout: even though the band followed the tradition of their American fusion contemporaries by moving towards a more commerciably viable funk-influenced sound, it's not exactly radio-friendly material and even the three relatively accessible vocal numbers ("Arterio", "D'Essay" and the title track) all have a solid foundation in traditional mid-70s jazz fusion. This doesn't change the fact however that these three particular songs are the weakest points on the album by a distance: not only do they all kinda sound the same anyway, but they also all share the misfortune of being "graced" by guest singer Rudi Passuello's raspy voice that sounds very out of place and quickly gets on one's nerves.

The instrumentals are better, but betray a band gradually running out of steam and out of ideas, starting with the captivating, energetic "Vicolo" (proving that funkiness does not nullify a menacing quality to fusion, in case you really needed proof of that) but ending with a lifeless and uninspired jam ("Arti") and finally with a brass-driven conclusion which I think tries to go for a celestial atmosphere but just falls flat and peters out. Four years having passed since one's last album and only being able to stretch out a disappointing middle-of-the-road effort like this to just over 30 minutes is not the sign of a healthy career.