FORME LIBERE

In Aliante, there couldn't be a more appropriate name for a new Italian prog band! Formed out of parts of Italian Neo- proggers Egoband from the Nineties, Aliante translates to `Glider' in English, and that couldn't be a better way to describe the way their instrumental music soars to great heights on their colourful and joyous keyboard-dominated 2017 debut `Forme Libere'. Despite being another of those bass-drums-keyboards trios that pop up in progressive music once in a while, Aliante rarely sound like Emerson, Lake and Palmer (the group usually instantly associated with that kind of set-up), instead they closer resemble parts of Le Orme and a wide range of the old RPI guard with their flamboyant symphonic approach, and this endlessly melodic first effort is a sonic treat to the ears of prog-rock fans, Italian or otherwise.

After a spoken word introduction, `Kilowatt Store' is a peppy, high-energy and infectious proper opener, packed to the gills with Enrico Filippi's spiralling Hammond organ and sparkling piano runs, backed by Alfonso Capasso's grumbling bass and Jacopo Giusti's punchy drumming constantly driving the piece forwards. The first stand out moment, `Tre di Quattro' begins as an elegant and deeply moving solo piano showcase before expertly building into a flurry of wig-out keyboard soloing and wild thrashing drum tantrums in the proud tradition of both legendary Italian proggers Goblin and Le Orme at the their symphonic grandest.

`Etnomenia' alternates between mellow percussion-driven ambience over lightly jazzy piano ruminations and tougher strident bursts, and `Kinesis' is a shorter joyful and victorious theme that joins with `Coda: Marea 03's swooning Mellotron lifts and runaway drumming. One of the more retro inspired spots of the disc, the near-nine minute `L'ultima Balena' is a extended suite of reprising little themes - striking classical piano flourishes laced with the pomp of endless Italian prog classics past one moment, Genesis-flavoured Moog runs and regal synth themes. Album closer `San Gregorio' then makes for an impossibly pretty farewell, carried largely by the most romantic and embracing of piano playing, sweetly murmuring bass, nimble snappy drumming and delirious synth noodling, and the classical fancy that permeates the piece ends the disc in luxurious fashion.

Running a welcome vinyl length of around forty-seven minutes which ensures it will be easy to re-spin often, here is an album that basks in its soloing-heavy proudly `proggy' heritage without being a mere uninspired or lazy vintage remake. `Forme Libere' calms and dazzles in equal measure, is intelligent instrumental music with endlessly memorable themes and full of warmth, colour and movement, and it's an album that reveals Aliante to be a group of talented musicians of restrained skill and great taste. More please in the near future, gentlemen!

Four stars - but if you love instrumental albums, add a whole other star.