BANCO

This was Banco's attempt to break into the English-speaking market courtesy of Keith Emerson's Manticore label. I first heard "Chorale" on Alan Freeman's Saturday Rock Show (anyone else old enough to remember that??) and on the strength of that bought the album. I can understand why some reviewers are not entirely comfortable with Francesco Di Giacomo's English vocals, but for me this was an introduction to a superb new band filled with enthusiasm and musicianship, and Di Giacomo's operatic tones fitted the baroque style of music perfectly.

"Metamorphosis" is powerful and challenging, and far superior to the origiinal "Metamorfosi" (which I heard about ten years later!). The introduction of synths added greater depth and power. It was much later that I heard the Italian albums, and while all the seventies recordings are wonderful this one holds a special place in my collection, encouraging me to explore non-English bands such as PFM and Osanna.

This is a five star album because it is easily the equal of most of the usual prog giants' offerings...