A MUSICAL WALK THROUGH THE HISTORY AND THE PLACES, THE GREATNESS AND THE BEAUTY OF THE ETERNAL CITY

'The Rome Pro(G)ject' is a concept album that reflects the history, monuments and psyche of The Eternal City via a series of musical vignettes and features several well-kent names from planet prog. It's also a glorification of Anglo-Italian collaboration and alternate tracks feature the likes of continentals Mauro Montobbio of Narrow Pass and members of Il Tempio delle Clessidre, and John Hackett and Nick Magnus from the UK. The path travelled follows the city's evolution, from the mythic material of twins Romulus and Remus suckling on a wolf's teats, to the modern day and projecting forward as a city of the future.

After a short prologue featuring Banco's Francesco Di Giacomo reading extracts from Livy's 'The History of Rome' the album kicks off proper with '... April 21st 753 B.C.' Appropriately enough - since it deals with the birth of the city and the legendary circumstances around which it got its name - this track features the Italian house band. The listener's attention may be focused on the big guns of the duty roster but the album isn't solely dependent on the famous individuals. Vincenzo Ricca is the main man behind the project and his vintage keys have more fizz than a sherbet fountain, although admittedly there are occasional nods to 'Cinema Show' on this track.

Talking of fountains, the inspiration for the album came when Steve Hackett quipped to his friend Ricca in 2009 that he would like to make a record about the fountains of Rome. The idea subsequently grew to involve a number of famous musicians and 'Over 2,000 Fountains' showcases the almost liturgical violin (acoustic and electric) of David Cross, along with more Genesis influence in the form of 12-string guitars and a 'play me Old King Cole' feel in places. Hackett himself features on 'Down To Domus Aurea' and this track has enough pomp and bombast to match that of the great city.

While the expansive form of the music largely reflects the subject matter, the English musicians involved in the project likewise have connections to Italy. 'Caracalla's Dream' is a sensitive dialogue between a flute and the fretless bass of Richard Sinclair, a chap who has all but settled in Italy and lives there for most of the year. And of course David Jackson has close links to Osanna; the album is mostly an all-you-can-eat symphonic feast but his 'A Mankind Heritage...' provides a significant counterpoise and it sure spices things up with its Bacchanalian sax and flute evocations.

Saying that 'The Rome Pro(G)ject' represents a bonanza of famous English proggers is a bit like describing Gustav Klimt's 'The Kiss' as two people snogging in a psychedelic sleeping bag. But it's very much a joint venture with enough arrabbiata sauce to satisfy fans of the Italian prog; it harks back to a lost golden age and seventies-style prog almost leaps out of the speakers like that mythical wolf.

"The Rome Pro(G)ject" is an Italian concept album conceived and produced by Vincenzo Ricca as ''A musical walk through the history and the places, the greatness and the beauty of the Eternal City''. The album is mainly instrumental and features a host of guest artists well known in the prog community and each track offers something special. After an Italian narrative from Banco del Mutuo Soccorso's Francesco Di Giacomo, it launches into a scintillating guitar solo layered with dreamy synths on '... April 21st 753 B.C.'. This is followed by acoustic guitar picking and gentle synths and the wonderful electric violin work of King Crimson's David Cross on 'Over 2,000 Fountains'. The violin is exquisite, relaxing and tranquil, and the piece has a medieval Elizabethan feel, and a Canterbury flavour in its lengthy running time. The cadence quickens after about 5 minutes and the keyboard of Vincenzo Ricca dominates.

Guests that feature include the members of Il Tempio delle Clessidre and Mauro Montobbio from Narrow Pass on 'In And Around The Colosseum'. This musical journey is laced with grand piano and spacey synth, along with guitar picking finesse and a steady drum beat. Soaring electric guitars are well executed by Montobbio, and overall the musicianship is brilliant.

'Monuments And Statues Everywhere' features the members of The Steve Hackett Band, John Hackett on flute and Nick Magnus on keyboards. This is an ambient tune with a pretty melody, enhanced by a sumptuous flute passage. The guitar powerhouse Steve Hackett features on 'Down To Domus Aurea' and as usual the legendary guitarist is first class. I also like how the tune speeds up and a 70s organ takes over.

'Caracalla's Dream' features Canterbury giant Richard Sinclair on his patented fretless bass. It is sprinkled through with a floating flute melody and swathes of drifting synth lines. 'A Mankind Heritage...' flows with the saxophone excellence of Van der Graaf Generator's David Jackson. His flute playing is also stunning, and this one stands out as a definitive highlight of exquisite musicianship. '... Towards The Future' is the return of Mauro Montobbio to close things off, with ribbons of flute drifting along, before the bonus track. This bonus is actually more of Steve Hackett, never a bad thing, playing well on 'The Mouth Of Truth'. The lead guitar is embellished with cathedral organ phrases, and an angelic choral choir; again extraordinary musicianship.

Overall the album is a nice slice of Italian prog pizza with all the trimmings, and a hard 70s flavour throughout. It is well worthwhile indulging in this delizioso Italian banquet. Bellissimo!