MELOS

Another Italian group with a short life,Cervello came from Napoli and performed in early- to mid-70's with Giulio D'Ambrosio on sax/flutes, Remigio Esposito on drums,but the driving forces of the band were singer/flutist Gianluigi Di Franco, guitarist Corrado Rustici and multi- instrumentalist Antonio Spagnolo.Corrado was the younger brother of Osanna's guitarist Danilo Rustici.The sole album of the band ''Melos'' was released in 1973 on the Ricordi label,with several re-issues following in the future.

Often compared to OSANNA,the sound of Cervello is less hard but somewhat more diverse,throwing influences from Heavy Rock,Psych,Jazz,Classical and Mediterrenean Music into the mix.Unlike many other Italian bands of the time,the style of the band is nor symphonic neither jazzy,it is actually a very Fusion-like style of Progressive Rock with Lizard-era KING CRIMSON, GNIDROLOG or even Swiss band CIRCUS being the most suitable refrence points.The arrangements are quite complex with a great number of breaks, featuring plenty of saxes and flutes and swinging from energetic electric prog to mellow folkish rock with acoustic passages and a very psychedelic atmosphere.Vocals are great from romantic lines to more Avant-Garde choirs.Much-based also on atmosphere,the mood of the album leaves its dreamy pastoral face to jump on really dark and complicated themes.The musicianship overall has a strong theatrical vibe (OFFICINA MECCANICA spring to mind),but it is not always consistent on the whole,particularly due to the many different styles presented.

The band split up a year after the release of the album,with Corrado Rustici participating in Osanna's album ''Landscape of life'' and later being a member of Jazz-Rock act Nova together with his brother Danilo.Singer Gianluigi Di Franco remained also within the music industry as well,until his death in 2005.

''Melos'' is a nice and quite different release from the usual Italian Prog vibes of the 70's with a much personal sound and a great discovery for those into dramatic,complex and intricate Progressive Rock.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.