SONGS FOR SOULS

Alberto RIGONI is the Italian bassist who played in ASCRA covering the titles of DREAM THEATER, then in TWINSPIRITS with a pronounced prog metal taste at SYMPHONY X; he starred in BAD As; he has also released personal albums including this one, the eleventh, coming out at a singular moment in his life, a vibratory and intimate tribute in fact; a parable about our passage on earth. Surrounded by RUDESS and BATTEN, I couldn't miss this album which makes him take up the torch at the end of the pandemic. Music between prog rock, fusion and ambient experimental under his sharp bass playing.

"The Miracle" low, bell, aerial dream, sober and dark at the same time to set the scene. "The origin of the world" on a cry of a newborn baby, a romantic ballad with intentional spleen, the appearance of the posed keyboards of Jordan RUDESS then of his crystalline piano, the guitar of Jennifer BATTEN make this title one of the moments highlights of the album, a musical firework. "Youth" more crazy rock atmosphere with a zappaesque part, the end becomes jazzy then twirling prog, bringing notes of life, joy, beauty, Jennifer being there for a lot in this feeling. "Talking with My Demons" featured by Mark ZONDER then Alessandro's piano for a mysterious escapade, the notes tortured before finally being played; the break with the flute à la GENESIS launches an overwhelming spleen, disastrous march in focus, archaic moment where the music seems to speak. "Suddenly" starts with a fairly sustained rhythm section where the bass will come and say hello to spitting SERRA, expressive intensity, introspective, it's beautiful and addictive in a few seconds.

"The Battle" sad, moving, synth à la Wally BADAROU on a melancholy tune; a guitar solo by Tommaso reminding me of our colorful Patrick RONDAT; the military battery sounding the death knell of this lost battle on one side, hope on the other side with the richness of the colored notes. "Silence" for the descent into borderline ultra- bass territory sprinkled with atmospheric pads; a pure meditative moment where contemplation is charged with humility; the image of an aphonic bubble far from everything, shhhhh, I'm restarting the replay. "Keep On Fighting" takes us out of this state by bringing us back to a melodic rock metal tune worthy of the master Yngwie MALMSTEEN; it comes out everywhere, from Edoardo's neck and Mark's hit amplifies the aggressive measure. "Peaceful Acceptance" hints at the end with a divine and minimalist bass-piano pairing, simple and fresh as morning dew; So it drips and it allows you to dream of a moment of tranquility, serenity. "Souls Never Die" concludes this set of hope, a punchy rock made to sweep away this moving moment of the artist and move forward, a necessary message to have in each of us for the hard times in life. The sound becomes fat, meaty, expressive, with the concentrated energy of Fabrizio and Marco.

Alberto RIGONI has therefore surrounded himself with musical talents to deliver this delicate and charming opus, intimate and deep, meditative and bewitching, just to help overcome the phenomenon of mourning, an absolute cathartic phenomenon in itself; a requiem for his father, a vibrant album by a bass player who played for the greatest such MACALUSO, MANRING, HARRISON and EDWIN, MOORE, MINNEMANN, EDMAN, ALAN PARSONS, LANDE, GILBERT. Ambient instrumental, fusion on progressive rock, beautiful music.