SUMMEREVE

There is a new Vivaldi in progland as the multi-talented and prolific Fabio Zuffanti has just completed a unique achievement in the progressive rock annals by finalizing a set of 4 mostly instrumental albums depicting the four seasons in the annual cycle. From stellar previous works such as the delicate Springsongs, onto the numbingly gorgeous Wintertrough and the febrile Autumnsymphony , the loop is now complete with the sizzling Summereve, even though the liner notes state that this is the first in the cycle (Fabio just did it backwards).

This is perhaps the best quartet of prog music ever, a dizzying accomplishment worthy of the great classical composers and underlines the freedom that artists now have, fully unchained from the shackles of corporate expectations and demands. Under Zuffanti's leadership and his vrooming bass, the musicians continuously display incredible creativity, vision and dexterity that espoused all the glorious traditions of classical compositions but within a firm progressive symphonic context. It is therefore fitting that as summer finally arrives, we are graced with a warm progressive soundtrack that is easily among the greatest releases ever! Yeah, I know, high praise for an all-instrumental work but the cherry here outbursts the cake.

"Season's Overture" is a 10 minute mellotron-packed romp of the very highest pedigree, a five part suite that sizzles along, reliving various previous themes found on the preceding albums, sort a recap if you will and a monster track with tremendous contributions from keyboardist Luca Scherani on elegant piano, swooshing synths and the wispy mellotron as well as guitarist Matteo Nahum on lead and acoustic strings. Drummer Maurizio di Tollo is easily the new percussion maestro in Italian prog, keeping tight time with some fascinating inserts. The achingly gorgeous string quartet work on "The Glares of Light" is to expire for, the passion and pain simply too haunting to adequately describe, even as the sweet flute and violin coalesce magically, in embraced spirals building a crescendo remake of "Kemper/Springtheme" on the earlier Springsongs album, with a focal melody already minted as a precious medallion of prog bliss. Music does not get anymore beautiful than this, possibly bringing one to tears, especially with the mellotron's gentle influence. "Evening Dance" involves more playful tonal adventurism, the flute again pied-pipering the way, a sensual bass groove set into motion, over which magical carpets of delicately woven synth, organ, piano and clavinet filaments intermingle . "On the Sea" starts with a soaring yet brief axe solo that scours the choir-tron cascades and some superb drum fills from Maurizio, a dab of windswept flute patiently ushering in another solo from Nahum that oozes a contained fury that leaves one in shambles. Some electric piano washes and an oboe intervention docks the pier. "Under Stars" is a short effects laden piece with recitative voice that serves as a welcome interlude, numbing the listener to the surprising riff of "Blackmountains", a stunning piece with a dreamy curtain of combined percussion, some swift acoustic guitar runs and synth sweeps, as the flute once again carves out the delicate melody, aided and abetted by the catty violin. "Prelude of an Elegy" gets even groovier with marshalling drums and burping bass, almost beyond space rock, as the synths wobble madly in orbit and the movement progressing forever forward. The lead solo combined with the choir mellotron is just plain silly-good. A thunderbolt seals the letter. The finale "Edge of Summer" does not release the pressure on the pedal at all, a sympho-folk rendition that relies on the strings and the keys to conjure grandiose imagery, providing the solid foundation on which Nahum's guitar can dance for the ages. Artwork, booklet and design all are typically exceptional, showing the care Zuffanti puts into these personal efforts. This is without any hesitation a 5 . Perhaps even one of the finest prog recordings ever from Italy.Yes, it's that good! Its perfect. Buona sera !