NELLA PIETRA E NEL VENTO

One of the most unique voices and gifted composers in the history of Italian Rock, Aldo Tagliapietra was born in 1945 in Murano and was a founder member and 40-year long leader of Le Orme, with whom he produced some of the finest Italian Prog during the 70's.He released his first solo album in 1984 during Le Orme's first break, while in mid-90's, at the time when his group was back for good, he met Budhaditya Mukherje and starts his studies on sitar.This would lead him to compose the work ''Il viaggio'' in 1998, released only some 10 years later along with an autobiographical book on his own writings.After a tour in Canada Tagliapietra decided to leave Le Orme in one of the most shocking departures in Italian Prog and two years later he records a 2-CD work with the greatest songs from his old band's repertoire.2012 finds him putting out his new work ''Nella pietra e nel vento'', where Tagliapietra sings and plays bass next to guitarist Andrea De Nardi, keyboardist Matteo Ballarin, drummer Manuel Smaniotto (all members of Former Life) and keyboardist Aligi Pasqualetto.

You can't go wrong with a Tagliapietra album, that is surely a fact, even if his old progressive days are a thing of the past.In this album the former Le Orme leader focuses on creating well-crafted and elaborate melodies in a modern Singer/Songwriter style, although his beautiful voice recalls his period with LE ORME.With two keyboardist around the sound is dominated by sensitive piano themes, light organ washes and intense moog synthesizers, always supported by the trippy vocals of Tagliapietra.His past form has not abandoned this monumental figure of Italian Prog, not in a simple second.Romantic soundscapes and mellow symphonic flourishes are still in the menu with melodic keyboard runs, while the music becomes even nicer in the electrified moments, hailed by De Andri's nice guitar solos.There are no weak tracks in here despite the lack of progressive development, ''Nella pietra e nel vento'' is a collection of Italian-flavored songs with a poetic atmosphere, where an impressive melody or a retro-styled keyboard theme is followed by Tagliapietra's ability to come up with emotional and thrilling singing moods.

Essential release for all fans of the softer side of LE ORME and lovers of sensational melodies.Tagliapietra still belongs among the most important figures of Italian Rock and this album is the purest proof.Warmly recommended...3.5 stars.