LA VIA DELLA SETA

LE ORME put out four amazing albums from 1971 to 1974 that is some of the best music I have ever heard. After that though they really didn't put out an album I appreciated until 2001's "Elementi" then the next one "L'Infinite" from 2006, these were their last two studio albums they released before this year's release. I'd rate "Elementi" as a strong 4 star album while "L'Infinite" is a low 4 star record.This latest one for me is between a 3 and a 4 star album and I originally gave it 4 stars on this review, but after listening to "L'Infinite" this morning (Nov.16/11) I have to drop this to 3 stars. It's just not as good as the last two in my opnion although it's still a good record. I must admit I was very surprised to hear that Aldo the vocalist had left and I thought maybe this would be an all-instrumental album, but no. They went out and got an amazing singer in Jimmy Spitaleri who sang with METAMORFOSI back in the day. Man he can sing ! I really appreciated him on that "Inferno" album that METAMORFOSI released in the seventies and he sounds just as good.Would you belive the drummer is the only original LE ORME member left.

"L'alba Di Eurasia" starts off like a house on fire then it calms right down with piano and acoustic guitar. Emotional guitar ends it along with piano and atmosphere. "Il Romanzo Di Alessandro" opens with drums and bass as guitar joins in.This is so uplifting as the synths join in too. Guitar to the fore after 1 1/2 minutes then we get some powerful organ runs.

"Verso Sud" opens with piano as fragile vocals join in. It does get fuller. Man this guy can sing. Such emotion. A guitar solo before 3 minutes then the song blends into "Mondi Che Si Cercano". Piano, guitar and organ lead early. Great sound here. Some beautiful piano melodies after 2 minutes.

"Verso Sud (Reprisa)" is a short piano/vocal piece. My God ! "Una Dona" opens with bass and drums as vocals and heaviness kick in. Organ comes to the fore a minute in. Nice. It blends into "29457,L'asteroide Di Marco Polo" . Again an uplifting guitar led instrumental with synths and organ too.

"Serinde" opens with water sounds and synths as the drums arrive and it builds. Nice bass too.The synths start to lead with organ floating in the background. "Incontro Dei Popoli" is mellow as vocals join in. A fuller sound before 2 minutes then it settles back a minute later. "La Prima Meloda" has a guitar led intro then the synths come in after a minute. A calm after 1 1/2 minutes then the vocals come in.That guitar led section is back as contrasts continue.

"Xi'An-Venezia-Roma" opens with bass and piano as the drums arrive and it picks up. Synths and organ follow. "La Via Della Seta" opens with atmosphere and vocals as it builds to a fuller sound.Vocals stop as synths start to lead. Marching styled drums also come in.

This is a solid release.