PRIME NUMBERS

Alphataurus' many PA fans (looking at you John!) are going to be salivating as they crash the Villa. The legendary Alphataurus are treating fans to a unique limited edition release in the form of a live CD entitled "Prime Numbers", featuring three long cuts recorded live during their reunion performances of 2011-2012. There is also an edit of a studio cut that has not been released on album. Making this more exciting is the second disc, a live DVD of the 2010 Progvention event of a few years ago. A limited edition vinyl is also available for the vinyl hounds.

Reaching back to their first album is an extended long version of "Dopo L'uragano" with a tortured, wild violin guest spot by Mietek Glinkowski. Plenty of jamming key solos on this one as well. The short track "Gocce" is lovely with repeating piano motif and some gorgeous vocal work. A buoyant and ascending keyboard part fills this out, it is uptempo and engaging, would be a great prog "single." The meat of the disc comes from the second album oddly, which is the album that was left unfinished when Alphataurus dissolved in 1974. Here they sound finished and fleshed out, finally coming to life as they were intended to back in the day. "Claudette" finds the band in top form, effortlessly blending their chops across the finely aged if somewhat typical "prog rock". I love some of the richly layered keyboard parts here, and again, Falcone's vocas are more than an able substitution for Michele Bavaro. "Valigie di terra" begins with a spirited drum solo and some spacey guitar that in a few mysterious places remind me of Tales snippets. Then the warm vocals enter again followed by a melodic chorus section. Even some jazzy piano and a wicked bass solo, this eclectic track is my favorite in this set as it takes more chances. It's a welcome return from an old friend and despite them not being my favorite RPI band by a long shot, it is really a treat to have them together again and still performing.

I've not viewed the DVD so I cannot comment on the sound/picture there but the CD portions sounds very good. I may edit this review later if I get a chance to view the DVD portion. Go get it John!

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