COLLEZIONE

In Italy we have the terrible propensity to consider certain bands in a certain genre just because they have been more successful in that genre. Therefore I Dik Dik ends up being considered only one of the best (and most successful) Italian Beat bands, referring to their production of the 60's. The problem is that one of their symbolic songs is the cover of "A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum which re-titled (with Italian lyrics) "Senza Luce", published in 1967. Subsequently I Dik Dik have recorded several songs in the same style (for example "Il primo giorno di primavera" of 1969) that cannot fail to go unnoticed by a lover of Progressive Rock, even if on the more POP and melodic side. After 1972's "Suite per una donna assolutamente relativa", a poorly successful Progressive concept album, the band tried to return to early music and some line-up changes (Roberto "Humka Munka" Carlotto and Nunzio "Cucciolo" Favia joined in 1974) their music definitely changed. towards Progressive and the recovery of foreign songs (translating them into Italian) but creating a bit of chaos in the choices and style, so much so that they were not understood (in fact they were only successful with singles). However I believe that "Amico" (Progressive POP) and "Cavalli alati" (Symphonic Progressive), both included in this compilation, are to be considered masterpieces of the Italian Progressive.

"Collezione" is a really interesting compilation to understand what Progressive is for I Dik Dik. For them it was playing a Procol Harum or The Moody Blues POP Progressive style. In this sense they succeeded quite well. And they were among the bands that paved the way for the Italian Progressive. Too bad they did not reap what they sowed (even for wrong choices). However for me they remain a very important and very fundamental band in the Italian scene. Although they will always be considered a Beat band.