IL VIAGGIO SENZA ANDATA

One of the most important bands in Italian rock,not that much because of their music,but mainly because IL SISTEMA gave later birth to two monster progressive rock bands:Museo Rosenbach and Celeste.They were found in late-60's in the famous town of Sanremo by Enzo Merogno (guitar, vocals), Ciro Perrino (drums, percussion, flute, vocals), Floriano Roggero (organ) and Luciano Cavanna (bass, vocals).They had a very short career lasting only until 1971,the same year when Leonardo Lagorio (flute, sax, electric piano) joined the band.During this period IL SISTEMA managed to record some tracks,which were collected and released by M.M.Music in 1991 as a double LP,while Mellow Records released a CD package with different tracks a year after (the one presented here).

Despite the presence of later MUSEO ROSENBACH Enzo Merogno and Leonardo Lagorio or CELESTE's leader Ciro Perrino,the hero of the band is undoubtfully organist Floriano Roggero.Their sound is actually a unique combination of heavy organ-loaded rock in the vein of DEEP PURPLE, Classical Prog close to THE NICE,while you should also add some elements later to be heard on MUSEO ROSENBACH's ''Zarathustra''. Unfortunately the production is really bad,reminding me of CORTE DEI MIRACOLI's ''Dimenzione onirica''.About half of the tracks have a classical inspiration with tons of organ and a slow- tempo,supported by heavy bass and some flutes as well,like on ''Una notte sul monte calvo'', an adaption of Mussorgsky's ''A night on a bare mountain''.The other half is actually a combination of dark-sounding Proto-Progressive Rock, containing complex organ parts and obscure structures with hints of MUSEO ROSENBACH and early KING CRIMSON (listen to the distinctive saxes here and there), and soft keyboard/flute-driven themes with a delicate atmosphere.

Actually the album is mostly instrumental and fans of old'n'vintage Proto-Prog will love this album. It is really a pity that the production is under mediocrity,as all of the compositions are on a good level and some of them could have been really great tracks,if taped in an appropriate and more proffesional way.Nevertheless,IL SISTEMA's early recordings are a great example of good Italian prog and should please fans who are after bands in the vein of THE NICE, BEGGAR'S OPERA, CORTE DEI MIRACOLI, FANTASY or CRESSIDA.A decent release of qualitive late-60's/early-70's progressive rock.