FINISTERRE

I I quite like Fabio Zuffanti's musical projects to say the least ("La Maschera Di Cera"and "Hostsonaten"). So, I was really interested in listening to this one to check out if he could be on the same quality level with "Finisterre".

After a poor start, "Asia" is almost Crimsonesque (the early days of course). Some great fluting and guitar are on the menu. It's the first good moment of this debut album. I have a more mixed feeling about "Macinaaqua, Macinaluna". I don't fully understand the necessity of mixing fully classic themes, musical comedy (Gershin) with prog. The opera-like vocals are not convincing either. Only the last part of the song will hold some great symphonic moments. But two minutes out of almost nine is not enough.

The instrumental "...Dal Caos..." deserves its title. Fully choatic, improvised music : Crimson in all the glory...The first three songs are not really on par with what I had thought.

The longest song of the album "SYN" also diplays some classical flavours. Great piano, but moreover : beautiful flute. This song is one of the best of the album. Lots of different themes, nice spanish guitar, good sax, It is a very complex piece of music. Difficult to follow but great. I guess that we can call it Italian prog at its best. Very harmonious, passionate. It is NOT an easy track to discover.

"Isis" opens on some choirs and aerial keyboards. The guitar work in the second half pleases me a lot. The music of "Finisterre" is here again, complex. In certain aspects of their work, they could be related with "La Maschera" 'which is nothing but normal, of course). But less melodic. Still, "Isis" features some wonderful instrumental moments.

"Canto Antico" is full of sweetness and beauty and therefore it is my fave of the album. It is the one which reminds me the most of "La Maschera" (and it is probably the reason why I like it so much). Great rhythm, superb flute again; it mixed Oriental mood with the most beautiful Italian prog sounds. You should really listen to this piece of music. Italian prog in all its splendour. As "Phaedra". A poignant closing number with excellent guitar work.

I am somewhat disillusioned with this album. It is a good one, but based on "Hostsonaten" and "La Maschera", my expectations were probably too high. Three stars for this "Finisterre" debut album which starts to be interesting from "Eyn" onwards.