PER... UN MONDO DI CRISTALLO

Another of the one shot Italian groups that while only putting out one album, they do leave us with a gem. Raccomandata Ricevuta Ritorno, Italian for Registered Letter with Notice of Receipt (thanks Raffaella!) mixed jazz, folk, and classical in an album that like many Italian classics like Palepoli and Dedicato A Frazz, was all over the place musically. If you like you prog complex and twisting this is an album you probably will enjoy. Unlike Osanna and Palepoli the accoustic guitar is featured here more than the electric guitar. Raccomandata Ricevuta Ritorno (RRR for short) put out a single album in 1972. The album did not live up to expectations sales-wise and Luciano Regoli and Stefano Piermarioli left to form Samadhi which also did one album before disappearing. Francesco Froggio Francica left to show up later with the groups Procession and Kaleidon. Several attempts to reform the group failed and RRR were left with this album, Per...Un Mondo Di Cristallo as their legacy.

As far as the album itself. Fans of Semiramis, Osanna, and Delirium should find the album to be very interesting. Musical twist and turns abound with great accoustic work, classy and flighty flute work, nice tasty heavy guitar, and a vocalist whose voice I really like though some have made it a point to say it is a weakness on the album. The first song, Nulla, for example gives an indication right from the start of what to expect. A dark minute long organ intro is followed by a short but beautiful flute and accoustic guitar melody before the manic drumming of Francica heralds a complete shift in mood and tempo and we go right into Su Una Rupe. Some inspired flute follows the drummerwith some accoustic piano pounding away .. then suddenly an accoustic guitar heralds the powerful voice of Luciano Regoli. I love his voice, able to project powerfully and yet handle soft quiet moments. The next song, Il Mondo Cade (Su Di Me), starts with a great accoustic guitar to start, and end the song with some cello and strings giving the song a rather dark feel. Nel Mio Quartiere has a great jazzy feel to it, with some nice saxophone in it. L'ombra is a real showcase for Regoli as he belts out some inspired lyrics against a manic rhythm. Un Palco di Marionett is the real gem on this album. With a gorgeous flute and accoustic guitar intro, when the drums, piano, and voice enter you find yourself taken away. Such wonderful and melodic prog as only the Italians could do it. Some piano ushers in a stylistic change as the tempo picks up with some guitar and a flighty flute. Some tasty e-guitar licks are thrown into the mix and you have another great example of what makes Italian prog so tasty. Lots of musical ideas that are put together with the attention to detail an artist would be proud.

This has been a great addiction to my Italian collection and would strongly recommend it to anyone who is exploring Italian prog past the big groups and '1st tier' of Italian albums. Why this album isn't in that tier... repeated listens have not answered that question. Definitely not essential but 4 stars is not a reflection of what I think of the album. A great album all the way through.

Michael (aka micky