NUDA

3,5 stars realy!!!

This second album (this includes Gleemen as a debut album since it is exactly the same group that changed its name - a bit like Flea became Etna) from this standard prog quartet has an absolutely astounding artwork cover concept (triple fold along with sexy commix story on the side gatefold) from future legend Guido Crepax.

The three tracks on side are rather somewhat 60's-sounding and look heavily (but not solely) at The Jimi Hendrix Experience and the first track is rather too close for comfort to Hendrix's fire track, but the keyboard saves it from disaster, a strange song referring to James Brown Similarly that second tracks lays heavily in its introduction to And The Gods Made Love and veering towards the psychedelic Mermaid I Shall Be track both from Electric Ladyland (the artwork is solidly with the spirit of the original artwork that got banned) and one can fear that we are into a copycat group by now. With the February 26, 1700 track, we now enter the world of Garybaldi and a definitely more Italian feel to it even if the previously afore- mentioned influences (The Wind Cries Mary) are still present, this is really one of their artistic peak, with all the drama a proghead could wish for and superb piano/organ duo to go along.

The sidelong suite of the second side is clearly the highlight of the album, with lengthy instrumental guitar passages but perfectly supported by Traverso's bass, and the regularly changes in keyboards from Marchi. Here again the Hendrix influences are present but very much more discreet and the group approaches perfection mixing classical prog and fuzzy and Wah-Wah guitars. If one the first vinyl side, the vocals (sung in Italian) had Hendrixy tinges, with this track, they take on a much more Italian delivery and again this is what they do best.

This album is a weird mix of Hendrix homage and some rather unusual Italian prog, but really Garybaldi is only really successful when they stick to their more personal compositions (rather than copying well but clumsily TJHE) and when they do this, they are among the best.

GARYBALDI were actually the same band with ''Gleemen'',a Henrix-inspired rock group from Genova,formed in 1965 and led by guitarist Bambi Fossati.In 1971 they renamed themselves to GARYBALDI,following a slight turn of their style.They debuted in 1972 with ''Nuda'',an album ballanced between Hendrix-like psychedelic rock and the growing progressive rock sound in Italy.The first side of the LP contained four straight-rock tracks with psychedelic guitars and almost none prog leanings,not unlike their style played during their ''Gleemen''-era...but side B contains only one track,the beautiful epic ''Moretto da Brescia '',clocking at 20 min. and being a great example of italian progressive rock.Here harsh guitar passages change into ethereal instrumental soundscapes,strong melodies are supported by superb Hammond organ parts and bluesy guitars are followed by classical piano themes and amazing vocals.It's one of the albums,which a single track makes them worth buying.Allow yourself to taste this high-class piece of music.

Very unusual album between early italian prog rock. In fact, it is a mix between some psychodelic bluesy rock strongly influenced by Jimmy Hendrix , and some guitar and keyboards driven melodic romantic song, usual for early RPI.

Listening of this album left mixed feeling as well: because of different song and mixed styles album isn't boring at all. But some places are long bluesy guitar solos, another - heavy keyboards passages. Voice is acceptable and common impression quite pleasant.

I think this album is good for prog fans who likes early blues/rock'n'roll/guitar heroes. But could be recommended to anyone , who's interested in strong examples of early RPI.

I like this album because of it's mixed gutar/keyboards sound with dreamy ,even acoustic melodic songs, mixed in one weird album with feeling of 60-th.

The album from "Gleemen" (the first incarnation of this band) recorded in 1970 was quite psychedelic and enjoyable. This one might be of interest to some of you if you are ready to listen to some sort of Hendrix clone who is singing in Italian.

That's the definite impression one gets while listening to the opening "Maya Desnuda". A heavy song that seems to come out straight from the great man's repertoire. The only difference being that some strong keyboards are sustaining the guitar work.

The Hendrix filiation goes on with the psyche "Decomposizione": a short instrumental and some sort of homage to the master ("Ladyland" period). The first emotional moment from this album is the superb "Febbraio 1700". Sweet guitar, delicate vocals and a great groove indeed. Needless to say that the model is not far away?An excellent song for sure.

After a weak "Ultima Graziosa", the side long suite "Moretto Da Brescia" is quite expected. And the result is really great.

At least they have (almost) cut the link with Hendrix and offer a fantastic piece of Italian prog. The accent is much more emphasized on the keyboards work and even if the whole sounds heavily as a late sixties psychedelic piece of music it is really rewarding to listen to these twenty one minutes of music.

There are some bombastic keyboards passages, jolly good vocal performances ("Il Giardino Del Re"). Be warned though that it leans more on the heavy side than the usual Italian symph (which was freshly born at the time: 1972). There are still moments that reminds me of the master but not too many. Needless to say that I quite like these ones since the man is one of my two or three musical heroes (although I strongly recommend a "No More Heroes" attitude).

Depending on where your interest resides, you might like the first or the second part of this album better. The usual proghead will look much more into the epic which is really a fine track with lots of soundscapes. A definite four stars for this suite that offers a wonderful travel into some forgotten and great sounds.

I rate this album with three stars because the first portion of the album doesn't reach the same level (although "Febbraio" is quite worthy).

The first most visible thing that is here about is its cover. I said it few times that I like certain cover on the album, but this is really piece of art. Not only because of nude woman lying there, but because of sheer art element. Especially gatefold booklet look fine.

Taking unusual way with their very Heavy sound (often) in Maya Desnuda, which isn't exactly my favourite (I don't like theme of the song, even using more "classical" RPI elements in songs 26 Febbraio 1700. These are archetypal songs, but the rest of songs kinda fall in between these descriptions. I'm aware of "epic" here, of course. If you take it as one piece, it's RPI, but not the kind I know about. They're doing it in original way, which even doesn't instantly mean interesting, still is nice to hear.

4(-), torn between Rock and Prog, but mostly good.

Nuda is the first album from Garybaldi, but in reality it is more like the second as they had previously released an album with the same line-up under a different name; the Jimi Hendrix Experience....er....I mean Gleeman.

Joking aside you may gather from my remark above that Garybaldi have a sound very derivative of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Guitarist Bambi Fossatti plays very much like Hendrix and even models his own vocal style on the legendary axeman at times. The inclusion of keyboards adds another dimension to the sound but like Hendrix much of the material here is psychedelic blues rock and despite a 1972 release still has a foot firmly in the sixties.

Side 2 of the original vinyl album is the more satisfying, being the more progressive and comprising of one piece divided into three parts. Fossatti while still having his moments doesn't dominate quite as much and keyboard player Lio Marchi is given more space. The rhythm section of Maurizio Cassinelli (drums) and Angelo Traverso (bass) are solid enough but unremarkable, but they hold things together well enough for some pleasing guitar and keyboard over the top including a section reminiscent of a live version of Deep Purple's Space Truckin'.

Getting back to side 1, it's fairly pedestrian bluesy rock with those Hendrix influences well to the fore. Decomposizione, Preludio E Pace is a guitar only piece of wailing guitars, much like the kind of thing Hendrix frequently reeled off live, but while you can't deny Fossatti's talents as a player Hendrix not surprisingly did it better. Apart from this we get two rockers and 26 Febbraio 1700 in a ballad style, but still reminiscent of Hendrix in his mellower moments like on The wind Cries Mary or Angel.

Overall then a good album, nothing more, nothing less. It does have a great cover though and if you get it go for the BTF triple fold out sleeve version.

As others have noted this Italian band sounds very much like the Jimi Hendrix Experience.The vocals although in Italian sound like Jimi as does the guitar.

"Maya Desnuda" is perhaps the most Hendrix-like with the guitar and vocals early on especially. Although the singing is in Italian he mentions Superman and James Brown sex machine in his singing. Lots of organ in this one too. "Decomposizione, Preludio E Pace" opens with experimental sounding guitar until late when it turns mellow and blends into "26 Febbraio 1700" . I like this.The vocals 1 1/2 minutes in are again Hendrix-like. "L'ultima Graziosa" opens with lots of guitar and the vocals arrive when it settles. Contrasts continue. Piano before 3 minutes then harmonica (I think). Piano and organ trade off before guitar and vocals end it.

"Moretto De Brescia" is the final suite divided into 3 parts. First is "Goffredo" with the tasteful guitar intro with light drums and keyboards. Fragile vocals before a minute. The guitar then starts to almost soar. Keyboards take over and vocals return late. "Il Giardino Del Re" is mellow to start almost spacey in fact. I like it.It picks up a minute in.The guitar sounds great before 2 minutes then it's the organ's turn. Reserved vocals before 3 1/2 minutes. A calm after 5 minutes then drums and guitar come in. Great sound ! Organ 7 minutes in and it still sounds incredible. "Dolce Come Sei Tu" opens with vocals and a mellow soundscape. A beat with laid back guitar after 3 minutes to the end.

A good album especially the second half, but the first half is a little too Hendrix-like.

Led by the flamboyant and Italian doppelgänger of Mr Jimi Hendrix, the band GARYBALDI was the next phase of Gleemen which formed in 1965 and recorded one album with the lineup of Bambi Fossatti (guitars, vocals), Angelo Traverso ( bass), Maurizio Cassinelli (drums, vocals) and Lio Marchi (keyboards. With all members sticking around for the official transition into GARYBALDI, the band evolved its 60s heavy psych sound with prog leanings to a fully fueled and functional heavy progressive rock style which found the band opening for many major acts of the early 70s in Italy such as the Bee Gees, Santana, Uriah Heep and Van Der Graaf Generator and also was one of the few bands to find interest outside of Italy in countries like Germany, Switzerland and Japan.

This new and improved band that had graduated from a mere heavy psych outfit to bonafide prog band and released two albums with the first NUDA coming out in 1972 which featured one of the most striking album cover foldouts of the entire Italian prog scene. The three panel fold out featured a lovely gigantic naked woman in the jungle with animals like elephants, rhinos, monkeys, big cats and crocodiles using her as their playground! Musically GARYBALDI continued the basic sound established by Gleemen which featured Bambi Fosatti's heavy reliance on Jimi Hendrix inspired guitar performances only with more complex compositions including the side long "Moretto da Brescia" that features three suites. Despite Fossati stealing the show with his guitar tribute to Hendrix, the album features a strong band effort with impressive keyboard performances as well.

The album gets a bad rap for being TOO Hendrix-ish in style and if you judge the album by the first three tracks then you'd be totally spot on as "Maya Desnuda," "Decomposizione, Preludio e Pace" and "26 Febbraio 1700" sound like something off of "Electric Ladyland" and could even be considered plagiarism at times however i look at this more as a tribute to Hendrix done tastefully and with creative input from the band. Starting with the fourth track "Moretto da Brescia" the album sounds more like heavier Italian prog than The Jimi Hendrix Experience however Fossatti never abandons the guitar playing influence as it's woven into the framework of the more progged out second half of the album. This fourth track in some ways sounds like the perfect mixing of Hendrix's guitar playing within a more Italian heavy prog sound such as from Il Revescio Della Medaglia's early albums or similarly the first Procession album. This track is where the more ambitious keyboards are let off their leash as a warm up for the side long closing multi-suite.

"Moretto da Brescia" clocks in at nearly 21 minutes and features the three parts "Goffredo," "Il Giardino Dei Re" and "Dolce Come Sei Tu." Here the Hendrix influences are almost absent and the band sounds like a more traditional Italian symphonic prog band with strong melodic hooks teased out of classical musical interpretations and more romantic vocals. Likewise the use of keyboards dominates as do the many twists and turns that offer a true journey into a sprawling prog behemoth. Even Fossatti's guitar playing which is still prominent at times takes on a more Italian prog sound. This track is quite impressive and ranks up there with the best of the Italian prog bands and actually too bad that GARYBALDI didn't create the A-side to match. Despite the massive prog upgrade the band neither lost its flair for heavy rock nor psychedelic trippiness at times. Likewise despite the classical domination as far this three-part closer goes, GARYBALDI keeps the bluesy rock rumbling as well as adding some improvised jamming moments.

This one is a mixed bag for many with many alienated by the too-close-for-comfort Hendrix references as well as the lopsided nature of the two sides of the album that are very different. In fact they sound like a different band in many ways. This is probably a 3.5 star album for its blatant Hendrix worship but i can't help but love it anyway as Fossatti simply nailed the Hendrix style and took it to the next level. Sure i wish the first couple of tracks were more compositional distinct but overall i actually love the heck outa this album and it's boldness to take Italian prog into a very unique direction. The band however proved unstable and although GARYBALDI would release a second album titled "Astrolabio," only Fossatti and drummer Maurizio Cassinelli would return only as a trio instead of a four piece. Great album despite the overt Hendrix worship. 4 stars