DESTINAZIONI OBLIQUE

New direction for me here on PA, as my yearning to give greater coverage to the lesser known, unheralded, and therefore deserving prog artists is becoming overpoweringly necessary. As per norm for the past 20 years or so, I will concentrate on positive reviews for albums that have blown me away, immediately upon first listen or with a timing mechanism that would make an SAS commando proud. There will be a whole series of hidden polished musical jewels for you all to discover and perhaps even enjoy, as much as I have. The bigger known prog names have their devoted fanboys (as well as their critics) to rely on, hence they do not need me to flatter their ego any further.

First up, a rather recent revelation in Aliante from Italy, that has caught my attention as well as my ears with their stunning 2017 debut 'Forme Libere', an instrumental trio featuring keyboard whiz Enrico Filippi as well as the solid Egoband rhythm section of Alfonso Capasso and Jacopo Giusti, a lineup that would also release 2 years later the equally masterful 'Sul Confine'. Both of these albums come very highly rated and deservedly so, as the technical prowess is off the charts and the style refreshingly attractive at all times. Their third one offers a change in personnel with a new keyboard player in Michele Lenzi and a fluid guitarist named Davide Capitanio, both previously unknown to me. The stable rhythmic duo stays put and just keeps the beat nice and steady. The addition of a guitarist has altered their instrumental style, moving away from the keyboard centric power trio format to another level altogether, more classic symphonic style, with a little more grit perhaps. This is exemplified by the stunning 9 minute + opening track, where the keys, bass and drums keep on shining brightly but the electric axe offers up some considerable sizzle. A communion of passion and technique, expounded with absolute gusto and subtle fire, expertly weaving the dramatic ebb and flow of contrasts, this kind of adventurous mind music is simply beguiling. Close your eyes and float away into this crushingly gorgeous celestial heaven. Rapture.

Slight change of pace for the next track, pastoral (flute) beginnings morphing into a sleek shuffle before another twist turns this into a darker mood, splashing Floydian guitar phrasings with a jazz-rock keyboard foundation, powerful bass and marshaling drums in tow. A wilder flute passage reboots the arrangement into another bucolic setting, showcasing incredible restraint before exploding once again into a psychedelic frenzy. Magnificent. Echoing e-piano flurries set up the tic-toc tone nicely, as the slow groove bass line establishes the foundation, atmospheric and jazzy, like some kind of thriller soundtrack. A pause, and a solitary church organ (such a majestic instrument) makes a cameo appearance, conjuring up images of solemn reverence, as new keyboardist Lenzi likes his Wakeman albums, as he gifts his entire battery of keys on this track, with additional organ and synth blasting ahead, unprovoked. The solo e-piano waves a final arrivederci. Thrilling.

The sweet and brief title track (Sideway Destination) is a complete shift, a female voice narration in Italian with a sunny acoustic guitar, defining why we use the word 'intermezzo' to describe an interlude. Smooth as silk caressing velvet, Capitanio is a true minstrel in the gallery. The previous track's gentle fragility flows effortlessly into a more epic composition, where the acoustic guitar halts and the mellotron takes over, a splash of basson and off we go to the races.' Cartmandua' is another 9-minute mammoth of melodic beauty, as the gut-wrenching guitar scours the soul, escorted by some slippery synthesizer forays. Gripping. A feline violin spars with echoing guitar phrasing, as the piece evolves into a jazzier setting where the e-piano is in partnership with the synths and mellotron. The tortured violin spotlight is quite an ear opener, as well as the drum solo but when the quivering guitar shoves the arrangement into the stratosphere, 'Coda Marea 04' is ingenious, investigational, and out there! Refreshingly original jam.

Time to settle down for another contemplative section, mostly piano and a distinct Floydian climate where serenity is incarnate, time for bassist Alfonso Capasso to show his mettle as he leads the lads into a stellar and resolute guitar solo that would make the prog guitar giants beam with appreciation, as the passion and verve just inundates the procession, the ultimate reflex to be sure. Flamboyant. How about a bluesy rocker workout? Va bene, we can play that too. But they will turn it upside down with some swerving forays, insistent riffs and a wicked corkscrew synth flight that makes a blender sound like a toothbrush in comparison. 'La Salita' is lively and bouncy, it nevertheless showcases an absolute comfort level in delivering interesting new music, with a few modern sound and voice effects to keep things on permanent edge. The highly atmospheric 'Tra Cielo e Terra' delves into an ambient and pastoral realm, with jazzy overtones and a tic-toc rhythm that ultimately, at the behest of a sweeping mellotron, morphs into a more symphonic, bass-led groove section. Lenzi gives his synth another massage, rotating and twirling his deft fingers gently, as the arrangement becomes even more insistent and passionate. He is pretty adept on the basson, so why not give that mistreated instrument a platform to shine? The final track just maintains the unimpeachable quality of all, I repeat, ALL the preceding tracks, a jazzier, almost serene mood armed with impeccable notes and an out of the blue molten lava guitar solo that will sear your ears, mind, and heart, pretty much in that order. Shuffling drums, bouncy bass lines, and slithering keys complement the deal.

76 minutes of blowing, flowing and glowing adventure, one can only hope that the prog audience catches on to these masterful Italians as I have rarely crossed paths with such overt and focused talent. To make matters worse, the two previous Aliante albums are just as stellar, albeit in a different, perhaps more conventionally restrained style. Something to discover for fans of instrumental prog of the very highest quality.

5 sidewinder gliders