VIETATO AI MINORI DI 18 ANNI ?

Jumbo were on fire in early-70's, belonging among the most popular live rock bands, and in 1973 a third album by the band followed.Entitled ''Vietato ai minori di 18 anni?'' and released again on Phillips, it shows the presence of new drummer Tullio Granatello in the place of Vito Balzano.

Stylistically Jumbo remained along the lines of ''DNA'', playing complex Heavy Progressive Rock with major Folk passages and occasional symphonic vibes.In fact the opening ''Specchio'' is among the most complete tracks of the italian scene, featuring the raw voice of Fella, excellent flute work, complicated guitar parts and a fair amount of Hammong organ waves.The rest of the album doesn't exactly reaches this high level of inspiration, but it is decent to say the least.It follows a weird mix of Classic Italian Prog mixed with extended acoustic parts and even Avant-Garde passages, like on the haunting and slow piece ''Gil'', containing percussion, obscure keyboard parts, acoustic mannerisms and Fella's frightening voice.While these moves are not along the lines of the average prog listener, there is still strong proggy doses to be left with nice guitar work, organs and flutes as the main components.

The last single of the band came in 1975 and the next appearance of Jumbo came in 1983 with the unsuccesful LP ''Violini d'autunno''.Daniele Bianchini was the main man behind Jumbo's couple of brief reunions and two more works saw the light in more recent years, the 1992 ''Live'' and the 2001 CD ''1991-2001 Passing By'', far from the band's early style.

''Vietato ai minori di 18 anni?'' was actually the last contribution of Jumbo in the Italian Prog scene.While not being that consistent as the ''DNA'' album, it contains some great pieces of prog music next to more experimental tracks of less interest.Overall, strongly recommended...3.5 stars.