DIARIO DI VIAGGIO DELLA FESTA MOBILE

First impressions first: the frantic keyboards (Francesco Boccuzzi ) on this album are really exceptional and strive for the limelight but with firm opposition from the amazing guitar. And no it may sound like Fripp but it is Giovanni Boccuzi. Based in the seaside port of Bari this band was another of the one album wonders (1973) characteristc of Italian prog-rock in the '70s. The three known of the five group members went on to form IL BARICENTO in 1976, an (even more) jazz-rock ensemble. This is apparently a concept album but as the lyrics are in Italian it is a concept to be rated only by those fluent in the language. The compositions are well executed with symphonic rock tendencies but the jazz influences still show through. Meandering, hectic keyboards interweaving with great guitar work leave little room for the midrange vocals but the result is very pleasing on the whole. PFM have been cited as possible influences but I think that this comparison is a bit over-worn and almost too cliche for my liking - why should all '70s prog-rock groups be compared to PFM anyway? If they do sound a bit like PFM then it is the PFM of the late '70s but will anyone ever say that PFM sound like 1973's FESTA MOBILE?

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