WRONG FROM THE BEGINNING

Our own Hugues discovered that this long lost progressive gem was absent from the database. A great find indeed. Rumple is a band who worked in an area of Switzerland right on the Italian border. The album is a late-70s symphonic obscurity with the most primary influences in my opinion being Gentle Giant, Yes, even Kansas. While the band possesses Italian members they are mostly emulating English prog here, not RPI, and vocals are delivered in somewhat accented English. Despite musicianship, production, and vocal quality that are a few notches below your first tier prog giants, there are some fantastic prog rock ideas and thrilling passages on this one-off project. I also love the album's layout of four tracks in the 7-10 minute range, long enough to have a ride, but not overstaying their welcome. This is one of those successful late 70s little-known gems similar in that respect to Zomby Woof and Surprise, two other very good projects which few people are aware of.

The four pieces are filled with traditional piano segments, lots of period keyboard, electric and acoustic guitar passages. The songs are quite vibrant in ideas, these guys are really trying to keep it moving and engaging. Opener "Flipping" begins with a wonderfully melodic piano intro which then slides into a heavy groove with an oscillating synthesizer and bass. It gets pretty intense before closing with the soothing solo piano again. "To be or not to be" gets a bit spacey with an e-piano solo and chanting introduction before launching into the rock section, a feverish mid-paced gallop. "The Closed Boy" is also a favorite with lovely acoustic guitar over mellotron, with dreamy washes of some synth sound coming and going. Eventually the more rocking sections engage and the album balances out nicely between light and heavy. The track stops early so that the final minute can be given over to a lovely piano solo, a very neat little ending. I think the biggest problem will be the production and vocals, some may find the composition a bit naïve as well, but I really enjoyed the album. If you enjoy taking a chance on a band making a sincere effort at blowing your mind, despite delivering product that is far less refined than say, "Wind and Wuthering", this may be one to try.

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