M.ELLE LE «GLADIATOR»

In 1975 Battiato came back with a vengence after the culmination of his ambient electronic/avant phase with the album 'Clic'. With this album M.elle Le Gladiator he moves squarely into the avant phase of his career. This album is the last of the 70's with him as creative force and musician. In later albums he is the composer while other musicans bring his visions to life. This begins to back off of the electronic nature of his last couple of albums. Hs VCS 3 synthesizer is on the album. Though it is not the star of the album. On this album Battiato breaks out the church album. Not many albums are defined as a whole by the church organ. This is one of them.

The opening track, Goutez Et Comparez, announces Battiatos intentions loud and clear with a sound collage of, crowd noises, various everyday noises, choral sections, spoken verses by Battiato, random conversations, operatic singing, and seeming dissonant instrumental bits. I find it rather interesting... if but to try to figure out just what he was meaning to accomplish with the piece. So in a funny way it really holds my attention. I enjoy listening to it. Then again with this phase of of his career, the ambient nature of his nature can not be overstated. This is perfect music to just sit back and absorb, to experience rather than satisfy the instant gratification that most listeners.. and people seem to crave. the sound collage continues on for a large portion of the track but fades out to a wonderful VCS 3 section by Battiato that leads to a church organ section of all things thatbrings the song to conclusion.

The church organ and synth work together on the next track, the shortest of the album, Canto Fermo. Anyone who loves to hear the church organ (Jacula anyone?) will appreciate Battiato's use of it here. A wonderful track. The album closes with the 10+ Orient Effects. Dominated again by the church organ with the synths in the background. The major theme in this piece in a held organ chord that rises in volume over the course of several minutes, the synths alternating chords in the background, then which it reaches in crescendo.. it drops in volume down to a point of silence. Interesting stuff.. especially if you just love to hear a church organ at full throttle.

Probably my favorite of his avant works of the middle to late 70's. In fact I enjoy and listen to this album more than Fetus and Pollution. Only behind Clic and Sulle Corde di Aries as my favorite 70's Battiato albums. Shame no one has bother to review it... if they've heard it that is hahhaha. Oh well. For me 4 stars.. I really like the album.. but again be forewarned.. it is not exactly an easy album to listen to.... just an artist and his vision coming through the instruments. There are no drums, bass, and guitars. For the site .. 2 stars... only for fans of Battiato or albums with the church organ as the featured instrument.

Michael (aka micky)