TEMPI DISPARI

Is this really New Trolls? The N.T. Atomic System album from 1973 was recorded while legal wrangling were going under way, basically who should own the New Trolls name. It seems that Vittorio De Scalzi won, as the second album with this new lineup, Tempi Dispari, bears the New Trolls name (OK, so the percussionist and female backup singers had left, but the rest remain). Don't expect a continuation of the New Trolls sound as you expect, like from the previous album, or anything else (UT, Searching for a Land, Concerto Grosso per 1). What you get here is full-on jazz rock/fusion. In fact, had this been their only album, this album would have easily fit in the "jazz rock/fusion" category of Prog Archives, but the group rightfully belongs in the RPI section, for rather obvious reasons (their other, prog-oriented albums). This was recorded live, and unlike the second disc (the last four cuts if you own the CD reissue) of Searching for a Land, there's no disputing that is an actual live recording. Searching For a Land featured a bunch of overexcited crowd cheers sounding more like a soccer game than a rock concert, and rumors that the cuts on the second disc were studio recordings and crowd cheers added on afterwards. At least with Tempi Dispari, the crowd cheering is much more normal and the album does tell you where it was recorded. So, given this is a jazz rock/fusion album, you get a more jamming feel, with saxophone and electric piano dominating. Low key synths occasionally pop up, and even some Hammond organ, but it's never the dominant instrument here. At one part you hear the theme to Concerto Grosso Per 1, and the audience rightfully became excited. I can hardly believe that just a year before the band released N.T. Atomic System, because it sounds nothing alike, just the occasional hint. I can imagine a few bewildered fans who bought Tempi Dispari and hearing fusion. On the other hand, those familiar with the fusion of the time I'm certain warmed up to it. More those expecting a more traditional Italian prog sound might stay away, but if you love fusion, this album is a must!