DIMENSIONE ONIRICA

Another very strong and well known italian band,CORTE DEI MIRACOLI were formed in the city of Savona in early 70's and released just one official album in 1976 that carries the name of the band as a title.Before this release the band had recorded some material around 1973.These lost forgotten tapes were collected by Mellow records and released as the second unofficial album of the band in 1992,despite being recorded some years earlier than their debut,under the title ''Dimensione onirica''.

This album contains some unreleased tracks of the early period of the band with a fully symphonic sound as well as some tracks from ''Corte dei miracoli'',but with different titles and in a more rough and less refined form.Unfortunately the first thing to notice is the terrible production.Despite the thrilling efforts and remastering of Mellow records,the sound of the release is very bad.Due to this fact the arrangements have lost much from their grandiosity,strength and dynamics.Thr recording is very poor and very much evident mainly through the sound of keyboards and drums.Imagine a result of a rather live recording in an amateur studio with very cheap equipment to appreciate the general sound of this effort.

Musically the compositions are overall quite strong.''Dimensione onirica'' is a good introduction to the sound of the band psychedelic organ,heavy rock guitars and baroque influences through the way.''Eterna...'' is a great track with a rhythmic first part influenced by THE NICE or even DEEP PURPLE'S Jon Lord and a thrilling second part with superb vocals by Michele Carlone and nice solos by Alessandro Della Rocca.''Volando...'' is a rough version of a later ''Corte dei miracoli'' track and continues from where the first part of ''Eterna...'' stopped.Fully classical influenced,the track delivers great keyboard work in the vein of THE NICE or even ELP for most of the time,ending up with psych/experimental synths.''Il volo...'' is another track later released in ''Corte dei miracoli''.Baroque influences are present again,this time in a more ''italian'' way (think of LE ORME),but the track is mainlt dominated by the great emotional vocal arrangements and voice of Carlone.Amazing song!Carlone delivers one more decent vocal reformance in ''Riflessione'' which sounds like early PFM with good guitar work,dark sounding Hammond organ and a superb ending theme.''Dimensione onirica'' part II is an obvious weakness,it's a lengthy version of the first intro with a meaningless drum solo at the end of the track.''Breve esistenza'' is the closest piece of music to MUSEO ROSENBECH I've heard from an italian band.Beautiful organ,dark sounding guitars,haunting rhythms,a great middle part piano theme and outstanding vocals are composing a magical ISP experience! In ''Corte o morte'' the jazz side of the band comes onto the surface with nice bass/guitar/keyboard interplays,a devent track in the line.''Quasimodo'' closes the album and this track was also included in ''Corte dei miracoli' under another title.This must be considered IMHO the most beautiful and original track of the band.The never ending synths add a different spacey/dreamy atmoshpere to the ISP style of the band,Carlone sings in a more theatrical way with changing moods and the piano themes are strongly emotional.This is the best closer for such a great musical experience!

If it wasn't of the poor production,we would be talking about a gem of Italian symphonic prog here.Unfortunately the arrangements sound less strong and worthy than they really should be.However rthis album could be a really interesting addition for anyone's collection.If you don't mind of the horrible recording,you might consider this album even as a hidden lost treasure!I think the original debut of CORTE DEI MIRACOLI should be rewarde at least with 3 stars despite the problems the poor production might cause to your nerves...