IL NOME DEL VENTO

Despite releasing their most mature effort just before the middle of the 70's, the media were not anymore interested in Delirium and after some mainstream singles, now featuring Rino Dimopoli on vocals, the group disbanded in 1975.During the 90's there was an attempt by the original members to revive the band's legend, but the most determined effort comes in early 2007 with Ettore Vigo, Peppino Di Santo and Martin Grice now being joined by guitarist Roberto Solinas and bassist Fabio Chighini, this fresh formation released the live album ''Vibrazioni notturne'' the same year.With the endless support of Black Widow they started working on new material, leading to the release of ''Il nome del vento'' in 2009.Several guests appear on the album, mostly on strings, with Presence's Sophya Baccini contributing vocals and piano in a few of them, while Museo Rosenbach's legendary singer Stefano Galifi sings on ''Profeta senza profezie''.

''Il nome del vento'' sounds exactly how you would expect of Delirium to sound some thirty years after their demise.Their music and production has been updated to feel comfortable among modern releases, but they kept their sophisticated profile from the vintage period, throwing Classical, Folk and Jazz elements into the mixer and eventually perform a highly artistic Progressive Rock with big time orchestral keyboards and omnipresent use of sax and flute.The big bet for the band was to manage to keep tight links between the jazzier and folkier overtones and the modern, symphonic elements, as offered by the energetic electric guitars and the presence of synthesizers.No doubt, they did an excellent job, and additionally they showed some tendency towards melodic lines and accesible passages, supporting the more complicated and rich textures.Although the album is not extremely consistent from start to end, it sounds like a well-worked effort with electroacoustic changes, ambiental and lyrical moments, highly progressive instrumentals with flute-, sax- and keyboard-based exercises and lots of Classical influences.I find the first half to be more than beautiful, excellent melodies, symphonic arrangements and complex tunes, while the second still sounds attractive, but lacks the efficient ideas of the first one.

This is what I would call a proper comeback for a 70's band.You shouldn't expect from these guys to betray themselves with a different style, but they were clever enough to bring the 70's right next to the contemporary, more recent stylings.Very nice and Italian-flavored music with interesting instrumental and vocal work.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.