AD MAIORA !

"Ad Maiola" is a modern Italian prog band from Milano which this year has released its first album with the name "Ad Maiora!". I listened to it because I am interested in to see and hear how this year's music sounds and also becuase I am especially fond of Italian prog. I like the cover picture which seems like it's written on an anciant ruin or something. There are five men in the band Ad Maiora which play drums, guitar, bass and keyboards.

The band has only vocals or four track, I think I remember, so the main memory of this is an instrumental band. There's a lot of jazz in this music. Not pure jazz but in fusion with other styles so this band is absolutely eclectic. I though thought that it often sounded like the music didn't know its direction and I didn't noticed its specific patterns really. Ad Maiola is more of jazz than symphonic themes. My favourite song on the album is a fine example of symphonic prog though: "Corolla" which is both joyfull and melancholic. I also hear glimpses of Genesis there(8/10). The closing track "No more war" is also very touching with a clear bass(8/10).

I must say I miss the Italian lyrics but some times the English are good here. "Summertime" is an interesting and pleasant piece, close to the Louis Armstrong' "Summertime" but still another song. "Eclessi orientale" and "Diatriba" are two other interesting tracks which I recommend(7/10). I liked what I heard on this record, the music is well performed but I miss the real golden hits here. I doesn't touch me deepest feelings but I do enjoy it a lot. I will give the record three stars of five and I recommend it for fanatic fans of the subgenre.