IL VOLO

In a succession of countless bands and artists is impossible not have also in Italy the "Supergroup" phenomenon. Maybe an example could be the collaboration between PFM and Fabrizio De Andrè, not a supergroup sure, but a supercooperation! Under a carpet of leaves the evolution of music in RPI scene was slowly fading out, but the ferment of many artists, drowned by the Italian cultural evolution of that time so paradoxical, has produced many musical exchanges and a lot of good music.

So into the intimate reality of RPI in 1974 a "gang" of important musicians coming from several bands has created a group really impressive. There were Alberto Radius and Gabriele Lorenzi from Formula 3, Roberto "Bob Olov" from Osage Tribe and Duello Madre, Gianni dall'Aglio from I Ribelli (the same origin group of Demetrio Stratos), Mario Lavezzi from Flora Fauna e Cemento and Cmaleonti, Vince Tempera great composer and "maestro" from Pleasure Machine and as lyricist the great Mogol, fellow historian of adventure of more known Lucio Battisti. Nothing else to say, but surely there are many expectations.

The opening song is so exciting full of a verve, at the same level of Banco or New Trolls. "Come Una Zanzara In Africa" ( As A Mosquito In Africa) sounds as if you can really imagine a mosquito that is dancing around an unknown scene, before it starts a more powerful piece in typical RPI style. For a moment you can forget all Great RPI bands! Fantastic. I try to think about how much enthusiasm there was in 1974 at first listening, a year far from the wonder productions of 1973! All is assembled perfectly. A fantastic rhythmic session that sometimes remember me Reale Accademia Di Musica "Vertigine", a variety of perfect elements arranged with taste in music and with the great guitar of Alberto Radius. In fact the first part of album is unbelievable, characterized by a groove line bass that gives at the album a good rhythm. On the same line is composed "La Mia Rivoluzione" (My Revolution), very interesting song.

With the third song "Il Calore Umano" (Warmth) is possible to appreciate Alberto Radius ability on guitar with a memorable solo. From here the album presents a series of song (the next 3) with more slow tones and interesting elements. "I Primi Respiri" (First Breaths) and "La Canzone Del Nostro Tempo" (Our time Song) sound like one the continuation of the other, as a very little suite. Personally I think nothing really special, but there are some good ideas. With the song "Sonno" (Sleep) they retake again the previous sound with a singing intermezzo that remember a classic Lucio Battisti period, with an evident participation of Mogol in sung piece. The album ends with a strange musical choice for this kind of music, or however because I have much expectations. "Sinfonia Delle Scarpe Da Tennis" (Symphony Of Sneakers) sounds as a careless song, so simple in its structure, but we say it's ok!

This album marks a middle age in Italian pop music but especially in RPI. It is a watershed between the Golden Age of experimentation when was born the Great creations, and experimentation more jazz oriented after 1974, with bands such as Arti e Mestieri, Agorà, Il Baricentro, Nova, etc? It sounds as an echo of past times, far from the previous creativity and maybe results a little bit boring in sung parts, remembering Italian pop of those years. Anyhow it is a "place to visit" at least one time in lifetime, surely to know and appreciate in some of their musical parts. In other words not their best but only a foretaste of what will be their next album "Essere O Non Essere: Essere Essere Essere", in which they certainly let us to know their real musical power.

3,5 Stars ? A lot of good moments but something does not convince.