STORIA DI ZERO

As Roberto Tava left I Numi in 1972, he was replaced by Paolo Fabbri on sax/flute, but this line-up didn't work out and dissolved the same year without any recorded documents, despite its good live activity.The main reason was Furio Sollazzi joining Lucio Dalla's band.In 1975 I Numi reformed again around Sollazzi, now with two keyboardists, Beppe Tiranzoni and Carlo Gatti, a new guitarist, Marco Pazzi, and old members Paolo Buccelli and Mario Rognoni.This new formation played a suite called ''Storia di zero'' at Pavia's Teatro Fraschini, a work taped but released independently only in 1993 on CD in a limited number of 500 copies.

Where this sound focused on could be really a matter of debate among Prog fans.They seemed to reach a higher level in specific moments, flirting with a more keyboard-oriented and symphonic style akin to CORTE DEI MIRACOLI or TRIADE, but this ends up to be a total mess, as these parts are interrupted by 60's-influenced Beat Music, covering the Psychedelic Pop of THE BEATLES and even adding some Surf Music in the process.The result is particularly awful with limited interest and a totally incohesive sound, which is pretty hard to follow.The symphonic stuff, although well-played, still retains some of the band's early, Psych-driven lines and comes as quite mellow and relaxed.There are though some nice soundscapes with orchestral keyboards and atmospheric synthesizers, while the Hammond organ is a regular addition in every track.At this point the band has composed a rather interesting and original music with a few dramatic touches, where the previous style of I Numi is more apparent in the guitar parts.But these breaks into UK- and American-styled Pop/Rock'N'Roll, covering the tunes of THE ROLLING STONES, THE BEATLES, JIMI HENDRIX and other popular artists/bands, do not lead anywhere and seemingly hurt any attempt of producing genuine and inventive material.Plus the 12-min. long jam at the end of the album, performed by the 1972 line-up as a bonus track, sounds completely needless and outdated.

Two more reunions followed, first occured in 1979, when the group recorded another suite, Storia di Zeno, yet to be released, while a second one came in 1990, following the release of a book dealing with Rock bands from Pavia.Furio Sollazzi, Paolo Buccelli and Aldo Tagliaferri continued to play together in The Beatles' cover band Back To The Beatles.

Very rare CD, which has a small musical value.There are some blistering moments of keyboard-driven Prog in here, but the cover songs ruin completely the whole album.Plus as a constructed suite ''Storia di zero'' sounds very dull.For Italian Rock and Prog collectors.