CANTO DI PRIMAVERA

This is the last BANCO album of the seventies and they go out on a high. Fans need to know that the fire and dynamics of their earlier works is not here, this is more subtle yet nonetheless very impressive. It's all about expectations really. As long as you don't expect another "Darwin!" styled album I think you'll have to acknowledge that this is a really good album, just different from their glory days. Maybe that's why i'm excited about this record because I wasn't expecting to be this impressed. Except for two tracks this is all gravy for me.

"Ciclo" is a song where unless you knew this was an RPI band you would have no clue from the music. An instrumental that opens with keyboards then a second keyboard joins in. A fuller sound after a minute. I like the horns 3 minutes in and the piano that follows. Great start. "Canto Di Primavera" is Italian sounding all the way especially when the vocals come in, but even before that you know. This song moves me for some reason. Nice bass and better singing. "Sono La Bestia" features percussion early before it kicks in with vocals. Horns follow. This is uptempo with so much going on until it settles beautifully 2 1/2 minutes in. Back to that full sound to end it. Great tune once again.

"Niente" is laid back with reserved vocals. There is more passion 1 1/2 minutes in but this track along with the next one "E Mi Viene Da Pensare" are my least favourites. Both are too relaxed and mellow. "Interno Citta'" opens with piano and vocals. Such a good sound after 1 1/2 minutes when it gets fuller sounding. It does settle some 3 minutes in then the horns come in. Back to that fuller sound to end it. "Lungo Il Margine" is spacey to start then piano and horns arrive in a subtle manner. Vocals after a minute. Love the atmosphere here. "Circobanda" kicks in before a minute with keys, drums and bass. Horns before 2 minutes. This song reminds me of the opening instrumental. Just a pleasure.

A solid 4 stars.