COMPENDIUM OF A LIFETIME

Vincenzo Ricca's The Rome Pro(G)ject is his symphonic progressive rock project that began in 2012, surrounded by musicians such as Steve and John Hackett, David Jackson and Tony Levin, with Franck Carducci and Roberto Vitelli as guests. An observatory on progressive music, Roman chronicles on Roman greatness with "symphony", lyricism and decadence and a 5th opus to dissect.

"V": Yessian intro, everything is said of the 70s then the 80s, organ and guitar, majestic. 'Compendium of a Lifetime': for the solemn intro, flowery at the Mellotron and the Genesis vocals of Bernardo and Aragon too; variation between David's sax, John's flute and Franck's guitar for a bucolic symphony and the eponymous piece. 'Vesuvius': short but majestic piece, rising towards Olympus with Mellotron for a dramatic side. 'The Last Night in the World': sequel to Pompeii before the end; melancholy Genesis rhyme amplified by Tony's voice with Nick's piano and spleen guitar. 'Have Caesar!': title in 4 beats, much darker with still synths and Paolo still on aerial guitar; final with pads accompanying the keyboards and the orchestra which is sufficient in itself. "Morituri te Salutant" continues in the same musical vein with John's flute and a sustained bass. "Gladiatores", with Tony and his bass hit, comes to support a title where Genesis comes back in force; it twirls keyboards, pure Vincenzo sound fat, heavy, airy and lively. 'Have Caesar! (reprise)' closes this quadra-title with Daniele's drums bringing a little more energy, as if there weren't enough already. 'Exegi Monvmentum 2021' in the finale and cover of the 2017 title with Steve in front, navigating between his musical soul and that of the Genesis; beautiful and languorous.

The Rome Pro(G)ject continues its musical fresco of ancient Rome on its great hours and its misfortunes such as Pompeii surrounded by a number of experienced musicians who show that you can have beautiful symphonic music under a little-known name; maybe that is exactly the solution. An album passed under the batteries of 2022 that had to be chronicled because a potential top 2022.