MALEDETTI

The fast 'n furious beginning sets the tone for this twisted jazz rock classic from 1976. It sounds like an alternative soundtrack to Kojak during a drugs bust. 'Maledetti' is a bit different from their earlier releases in that it sounds deeper, more fleshed out and thoughtful. They even managed to recruit the help of Steve Lacy and Paul Lytton with his classical jazz contributions.

Demetrio Stratos never sounded better with his bizarre and energetic vocal yodeling and warbling. He certainly was an acquired taste - a voice you'll either love or hate.

Quite similar to 'Return to Forever' but more deranged. There are some seriously gifted musicians at work here who make really difficult music sound easy to play. Hair raising stuff indeed. A lot of 'Maledetti' sounds like controlled mayhem where you have no idea in which direction it will go next.

Side two kicks off with a string quartet playing a 'Bach' concerto which, funnily, doesn't sound out of place at all. The outro 'Caos' has a wonky assortment of all odd things going on, including a nod to 'The Pink Panther'.

A difficult album as all Area recordings were and not for the faint hearted. Just a pity the band were a bunch of left wing Commies.