BELLA BAND

Out of Florence, Tuscany, came out this quintet that produced one sole album, released in 78 on the Cramps label (Area, A+M, Venegoni and CdL), so you'll have guessed by now that they were into jazz-rock. Indeed they were into late 70's instrumental funky jazz-rock and the group, a classic prog quartet fronted by wind-blower Roberto Buoni was made upon mostly previously-unknown musicians with only the drummer Sarti having played in Campo Di Marte. The humorous artwork is depicting maybe what they would be for a band today in 09.

Just four "long" tracks over the vinyl, two aside, clocking between almost 6-mins and almost 11-mins, the group develops a JR/F that sounds a bit Nucleus and Soft Machine-like, but less so than Perigeo. At times they seem to sound more international like WR, MO or RTF, but it's clear that they're not up to that virtuoso level, and wisely choose not to over-extend themselves. My fave track is the longest Promenade, but the preceding Fadadiesis is also an excellent opening track. BTW, the flipside is very short, just clocking around 13 minutes and also a little inferior (IMHO), because it seems neither tracks can seem to find its interior fire. But this is not to say that the funk bass-driven Porotopostripa is not good, it shares itself between Buoni's sax, Cioni's Rhodes and Fiorentino's searing guitar lines. Only the slow-developing Cipresso is less interesting, because it seems that after one slow intro, it starts a second intro, albeit more energetic, but only to die out and restart in yat another would-be intro.

This album has received at least twice a Cd release, but while I like it a lot, I'm not sure it's worth tracking it down that much. It's not like it is essential or anything of the sort, but it's an enjoyable artefact for those that want to dig deep in Italian JR/F of the 70's. Quite good but not essential, yet for completionists only.