A band from Pavia formed around 1967 from the ashes of local beat groups Gli Spettri, I Solitari, Gli Imprevisti, they only released an album in 1971 for the small Polaris label (the same as I Teoremi). The band included lots of covers by the likes of Free, Deep Purple, Grand Funk Railroad in their live act.The album, housed in a very nice cover, is song-based, with soft and dreamy atmospheres and good lyrics by composer Guido Bolzoni. He had worked with some important names of the Italian pop music (like Mina) and also had released a solo album, Happening, in 1969 under the name of Guido.Some foreign influences are evident in the guitar playing of Mario Rognoni (nicknamed Carlos for his ability in playing in Santana style), but the band's sound is very far from King Crimson or other English groups and more in a melodic vein, the only different track is the opening Alpha ralpha boulevard (sung by Bolzoni though he was not a member of the group). A new member, sax/flute player Paolo Fabbri, joined the band right after the album came out (he had already taken part in the recording sessions), to replace one of the guitarists, and this line-up had a good concert activity and even played at the Festival di Re Nudo in Zerbo in 1972, one of that year's main musical events.The group split later the same year, when drummer Sollazzi left to join Lucio Dalla's band. He formed a short-lived group called Corte dei Miracoli (not to be confused with the more famous group from Savona with the same name) that also included former Numi members Buccelli and Tiranzoni.Around the same nucleus a new Numi incarnation was reformed in 1975, this time with two keyboardists and a more symphonic and ambitious sound. This line-up composed a concept work entitled Storia di Zero that was played at Pavia's Teatro Fraschini and released in a limited CD issue in 1993. A long suite, this included good symphonic prog-inspired parts along with covers of famous tracks by Beatles, Moody Blues and others, this can be interesting to hear, though a bit fragmented. The CD also includes a good live jam by the 1972 line-up.Other reunions came in 1979, with the follow-up to Storia di Zeno, another suite called 2079, but even this group (including a horn section with ex-Maxophone Maurizio Bianchini) had a short life, and again in 1990 when a book on rock bands in Pavia was released.Drummer Sollazzi, whose surname was misspelled as Solazzi on the LP cover, still plays now in a Beatles-cover band called Back To The Beatles (with two CD's, Rubber songs in 1995 and Beatle-Sconcerto in 1998) and is still active in the musical field with reviews on newspapers and concert organization. Other ex-Numi play in the same group, bassist Paolo Buccelli and guitarist Aldo Tagliaferri that was in the band's first line-up. Line-up / Musicians Marco Pazzi/guitars,vocals Furio Sollazzi/drums Paolo Buccelli/bass,vocals Mario Rognoni/guitars,vocals Beppe Tiranzoni/keyboards,vocals Carlo Gatti/keyboards,vocals Discography(Album) Alpha Rapha Boulevard 1971
1.Alpha Ralpha Boulevard 2.San Miguel 3.La Nuova Età 4.Luce e Gloria per te 5.Furma Materiae Progredientis 6.325 7.Alpha Ralpha Reprise
This quartet from Milan began as a beat band in 1964. They made one Italo-beat album in 1968, had a number of successful singles and then broke up - only to reform in 1971 for a brief burst of progressive glory and the release of a superb album entitled "Terra in Bocca". In addition to the band proper (guitar/keyboards/bass/drum combo), the album features guest musicians who later went their separate ways (keyboard player and composer Vince Tempera became a permanent member of IL VOLO; guitarist Marcello Dellacasa joined LATTE E MIELE; bassist Ares Tavolazzi moved on with AREA). This album is their most progressive effort featuring two long compositions (both more than 20 minutes). The music is very alternating and delivers many captivating moments: heavy compelling keyboard play, subdued acoustic guitar and emotional vocals, mellow swelling Mellotron (especially the beautiful intermezzo halfway Part Two), virtuosic piano work in the vein of Keith Emerson (but more refined) and fiery, propulsive guitar play. Despite the long running time of the two tracks, it sounds cohesive and pleasant. Line-up / Musicians Giacomo "Mino" Di Martino/voice,guitar Francesco "Checco" Marsella/vocals,organ Sergio Di Martino/vocals,bass Sergio Enrico Maria Papes/vocals,drums Discography(Album) Terra in bocca (Poesia di un delitto) 1971
1.Arrivano I GigAnti 2.Giorni Di festa 3.In Paese e Festa 4.Tema 5.Summertime 6.Proposta 7.Da Bambino 8.Piri Piri Va 9.Una Ragazza In Due 10.Cara Mia
I Pooh, or Pooh for short, are like the Rolling Stones of Italian popular music. One of music's longest continuously running acts, they formed in Bologna in 1964. Like other groups of the 'beat' generation their music consisted of American and English pop covers sung in Italian. The original band was composed of # Valerio Negrini (Drums)Bob Gillot (Keyboards), Gilberto Faggioli ( Bass Guitar ), Mario Goretti (Guitar), and Mauro Bertoli (Guitar). As the 60's wore down and the Italian music scene began to find it's own voice Pooh gravitated toward a more... melodic pop. The group had some line-up changes during these years with the the definitive Pooh line up taking form. Roby Facchinetti (voice and keyboards) joined in 1966 replacing Gillot. Red Canzian (voice and electric bass joined 1973 replacing Riccardo Fogli who had replaced Faggioli in 1966. In 1967 , Mauro Bertoli left the group. In September 1968, Dodi Battaglia (voice and guitars) joined the group, when Mario Goretti left the band. Finally in 1971, following Valerio's departure, the band recruited Stefano D'Orazio, the drummer of the Naufraghi. The line-up of Facchinetti, Battaglia, D'Orazio, and Canzianhas been together since 1973 with exception of some albums in the early to mid 70's staying in the vein of pop music. Much of the Pooh's music is not really of interest of proggresive rock fans. However there was a period when even the most successful of the purveyors of melodic pop where drawn in the progressive rock boom that swept all of Italy in the early 70's. The Pooh's detour into prog was brought on by the addition of Canzian who had a keen interest in progressive rock and had been guitarist of Capsicum Red before taking over the bass chair in Pooh. Pooh released a series of albums in the 70's that are of keen interest to those who have a deep interest in progressive rock. In fact.... some of their albums have been hailed as 'masterpieces' OF Italian progressive rock and for years were HIGHLY sought after by collectors of Italian progressive rock recordings of the 70's in the dark days before many of the albums were available again for us relatively easily. Albums such as Opera Prima, Parsifal, and Un po' del nostro tempo migliore are where the prog fan's should look first. Line-up / Musicians Roby Facchinetti/vocals,keyboards Dodi Battaglia/vocals,guitars Stefano D'Orazio/vocals,drums Red Canzian/vocals,bass Discography(Album)
Un Po' Del Nostro Tempo Migliore 1975
1.Preludio 2.credo 3.Una Storia Che Fa Ridere 4.Oceano 5.Fantasia 6.Mediterraneo 7.Eleonora Mia Madre 8.1966 9.Orient Express 10.Il Tempo Una Donna La Città
Raminghi were a proto-prog band from Bergamo Italy near Milano. The group was led by bassist and vocalist Franco Mussita. Mussita apparently began his pop career in the early 60s as the CD booklet has great photos of his early band I Nomadi. According to the bio he is "a blend between visionary and stubborn genius combined with a little bit of madness." It is said he arrived on the music scene when the stars of the Italian progressive movement were little more than children. After many years of playing live and paying dues, Nomadi became Raminghi and found a record deal with the Bentler label. Mussita was smitten with the likes of Deep Purple, Vanilla Fudge, Blue Cheer and Uriah Heep and wanted to record music in this vein. They did a couple singles for Bentler before recording Il Lungo Cammino dei Raminghi which translates to "The Long Way of the Rovers." They ended up rather unhappy with Bentler, because the label delayed for too long, insisted they soften their energetic sound a bit, and of course did little to provide promotion.The bands sound varies from quite unique in places to typical in other places. Certainly some sections sound incredibly dated and very 60s, imagine listening to the Italian version of Quicksilver Messenger Service. Some of their music sounds like the theme song to a 60s spy tv show while others sound like bands from the early Haight scene in San Francisco. Swirly organs in the background, thin acid-drenched electric leads, lots of psych moodiness, and some bluesy hard rock influence too. Mussita wails a bit like the singer in the Spanish band Ibio with a big dramatic bellow at times. The drummer is quite good with an understated style. The guitar playing is raw in rhythm mode with a real scrunch to it. Raminghi are not any more "prog" than The Doors are but it is interesting to hear the changes happening right in front of you from the Italian perspective instead of through the California lens of Doors, Airplane, Grateful Dead. Line-up / Musicians Franco Mussita/bass,vocals Angelo Sartori/keyboards Angelo Serighelli/guitar Romeo Cattaneo/drums Discography(Album) Il lungo cammino dei Raminghi 1971
1.Donna Hai Ragione Tu 2.La Nostra Verita 3.Cose Supperate 4.Partire 5.Every day Jesus 6.Non Moriremo Mai 7.Buio Mondo Nero E Giallo 8.Guarda tuo Padre
Formed by the four brothers Borra, this group from Vercelli was initially called I Fratelli, and changed its name to Il Segno dello Zodiaco around 1972, producing some singles and a debut album in 1974. Their style was mostly commercial pop with some more progressive tracks. Line-up / Musicians Gianni Borra/vocals,flute Luciano Borra/guitar Luigi Borra/bass Loris Borra/drums Discography(Album) Il Segno Dello Zodiaco 1974
1.Hai Mai Visto 2.Dolce Laura 3.Vecchia Canzone Nuova 4.Mio Padre 5.Dormi Cara 6.Rimpianto 7.Solo Qualcosa In Più 8.Un Attimo Di Gelosia 9.Odio, Amore 10.Aria D'Estate 11.Toccata E Fuga
The acclaimed Spanish fusion band IMÁN CALIFATO INDEPENDIENTE has its origins at a convention, given by the meditation guru Maja-raj-ji, in the mid Seventies. Like genuine hippies, the musicians lived together in one house in El Puerto De Sta. Maria and eventually they founded IMAN, featuring Inaki Egana (bass and vocals), Kiko Guerrero (drums and percussion), Marcus Mantero (keyboards), and Manuel Rodriguez (6 - and 12-string electric guitar, vocals and percussion). In '78 they made their first record, entitled "Iman Califato Independiente". In '80 IMAN produced their second and last album "Camino del Aguila". IMAN also appeared on the Spanish compilation albums "Rock Andalus" ('94) with the songs "Tarantos", "Cancion de la Oruga" and "Ninos" and the exciting 2-CD "Duende" ('97) with "Tarantos". Their strong and alternating sound is a fusion of symphonic rock in the vein of PINK FLOYD and the jazzrock from the CANTERBURY SCHOOL, added with some Andalusian flavour. The rhythm-section is tight and adventurous, the guitarplay strong and the keyboards sound pleasant. The most captivating element of IMAN is the interplay between guitar and keyboards (at some moments evoking ICEBERG). Line-up / Musicians Inaki Egana/bass,vocals Kiko Guerrero/drums Marcos mantero/keyboards Manuel Rodrigue/guitar Discography(Album) Califato Independiente 1978
1.Tarantos del Califato Independiente 2.Darshan 3.Cerro Alegre 4.Cancion de la Oruga
The rise of The Invaders to the pinnacle of South African pop and rock stardom can be traced directly to the 1961 Cliff Richard & The Shadows tour in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. After seeing the show twenty one year old John Burke confidently declared “I was born for show business and someday I’ll be famous like The Shadows”-these would be prophetic words. Armed with a battered guitar he formed his first group called The Astronauts, the first pop band in Uitenhage but after several live dates that band splintered. Undeterred John and guitarist Errol Gobey continued in various groups including an embryonic Invaders before settling on the classic line up of John Burke-bass ; Joe Moses-lead guitar ; Errol Gobey- guitar and Dave Burke –drums in 1963.Over the next 3 years The Invaders proceeded to play every `session`, `school hop` dance party and talent competition available ,often thrashing the opposition bands. Word of mouth about their energetic live performances and in 1967 they released their debut album “Two sides of The Invaders” which rapidly achieved gold status. In December of that year they released the “Shockwave” single (also available on the “Astral Daze 2” compilation)– a seminal ,fuzz drenched guitar workout that seemed to preempt the coming psychedelic revolution. This track climbed the South African charts peaking at No.10 and earning them a gold disc-the “Shockwave” single and album was a huge success” recounts Gobey , we toured the whole country and according to the media The Invaders were South Africa`s top band”. This success is confirmed by the band`s fan club which at it`s peak had over 50,000 members, rivaling that of The Beatles and Rolling Stones. Another two successful albums, “One more time” and “New image” were released before the band embarked on a European tour. Hassled by red tape and permit problems but inspired by the rock explosion in the countries that they played in, the band returned to South Africa with a new vision and direction for the next album. Now joined by vocalist Lionel Petersen and organist Rodger Pillay they entered the studio to record “There`s a light, there`s a way”. Gone were the guitar driven pop instrumentals and light pop tunes of previous years and in it`s place was a more contemporary sound, incorporating elements of funk, prog rock and psychedelic soul. “Turn on the sun”, with it`s layered vocal harmonies manages to bridge the divide between early `70s soul and pop whilst the funky “Ocean of peace” wouldn’t be out of place on a Rare Earth album ; awash with swirling Hammond and driving guitar work the pastoral “Astral III” is the perfect counterfoil to the Grand Funk like “Astral II”. With a nod to The Kinks` “You really got me” the stomping riff of “I need you” is the platform for Joe`s searing guitar solo. Tackling a Stones classic like ‘You can’t always get what you want” is a daunting task for any band but The Invaders `soulify` the tunes with soaring vocals, funky piano/organ lines and some jazzy flute making it one of the best covers in rock history.The original album is boosted by the inclusion of two bonus tracks; a raw version of Creedence`s ‘Born on the bayou” and an earlier psych tune “Painter Man”. With the long overdue release of ‘There`s a light, there`s a way”, The Invaders rightfully take their place alongside other shining lights in the rock firmament like Freedoms Children, Otis Waygood , Hawk, Suck and Abstract Truth. Line-up / Musicians Joey Moses/guitar,vocals Errol Gobey/guitar,vocals Johnny Burke/bass Dave Burke/drums Spewy Pillay/organ Discography(Album) There's a Light There's a Way 1970
1.Turn On The Sun 2.Ocean Of Peace 3.Astral III 4.Second Coming 5.I Need You 6 There's A Light There's A Way 7.Astral II 8.You Can't Always Get What You Want
Il Rovescio della Medaglia were formed in Rome around the end of 1970 from the ashes of the beat band I Lombrichi. Enzo Vita, Stefano Urso e Gino Campoli founded the group, that had as lead singer first Gianni Mereu (not the guitarist of Logan Dwight), then Sandro Falbo (from Le Rivelazioni) and soon later Pino Ballarini, who had moved to Rome from Pescara where he played with Poema.Their first great success was at Viareggio Pop festival and they soon became one of the most popular live bands in Italy during the early 70's.First LP La Bibbia, released in 1971, was basically a very good hard-rock album with slight prog influences, recorded live in studio and accompanied by a distinctive round medallion-shaped booklet. The second one, Io come io a year later, was in the same style, with ambitious philosophical lyrics inspired from Hegel works. A short album (less than 30 minutes) but again a really good one! In 1973 a fifth member was added, keyboard player Franco Di Sabbatino, also from Pescara, like Pino Ballarini, and briefly with Il Paese dei Balocchi.With their sound enriched by the keyboards, Il Rovescio released the third album, Contaminazione, with the help of argentine composer Luis Enriquez Bacalov, who had already worked with New Trolls for their Concerto Grosso and Osanna. The album was obviously more in a symphonic direction, and was also released in an English-sung version and issued in many foreign countries, to try to launch the group abroad. The English language album appeared in Italy in 1975 only, when the band had already split up. By this time the band was being renowned for their powerful performances, always played at the loudest possible volume and helped by a unique sound system. Line-up / Musicians Enzo Vita/guitars Pino Ballarini/vocals,flute Stefano Urso/bass Gino Campoli/drums Discography(Album) La Bibbia 1971
1.Il Nulla 2.La Creazione 3.L'Ammonimento 4.Sodoma E Gomorra 5.Il Giudizio 6.Il Diluvio
All-female funk-rock outfit Isis reunited singer/guitarist Carol MacDonald and drummer Ginger Bianco, who previously collaborated in the '60s girl group Goldie & the Gingerbreads. Inspired by the success of distaff hard rock combo Fanny, MacDonald and Bianco formed Isis in 1972, recruiting lead guitarist Susan Ghezzi, bassist Stella Bass, saxophonist Jeanie Fineberg, trumpeter Lauren Draper, trombonist Lilly Bienenfield, and percussionist Nydia Mata. After building a cult following on the strength of their regular appearances at the New York City club Trude Heller's, Isis signed to the Buddah label to issue its self-titled 1974 debut. Complete with cover art featuring all eight members nude and covered in metallic chrome paint, the record was acclaimed in some quarters but dismissed as little more than a novelty in others. Line-up / Musicians Carol MacDonald/vocals,guitar Ginger Bianco/drums,percussion Suzi Ghezzi/guitar Stella Bass/bass,vocals Nydia "Liberty" Mata/percussion Lauren Draper/trumpet,vocals Lolly Bienenfield/trombone,vocals Jeanie Fineberg/saxophone,flute,piccolo Margo Lewis/keyboards Ellen Seeling/trumpet Edith Dankowitz/saxophone,flute,clarinet Renate Ferrer/guitar Faith Fusillo/guitar Lynx/saxophone,guitar Barbara Cobb/bass Vivian Stoll/drums,vibraphone Discography(Album) Ain't No Backin' Up Now 1975
1.Ain't No Backin' Up Now 2.Icy Winds 3.Old Stories 4.Gold 5.Eat the Root 6.Bobbie & Maria 7.Lost Romeo 8.Come One, Come All 9.Sunshine Tree
Another symphonic gem from the Basque region. ITOIZ was formed by Joseba Erkiaga (flute), A. Azkarraga (bass), Estanis Osinalde (drums), J.C. Perez (guitars), and Jose A. Fernandez (Fender Rhodes piano, Grand piano, Hammond organ, Kong Polyphonic ensemble, ARP synthesizer). Their style is a mixture Basque folk, prog-rock and a little jazz. Still, there are (not surprisingly) absolutely no traces of flamenco influences. The music here is quite beautiful (very Italian, in fact) and emphasizes melodic interplay between interactions of wind instruments with keyboards, and guitars. Most of the tracks have male vocals, while the best tracks have some very beautiful female vocals. But they sing in the Basque language. Their early albums are now considered classics. Although they have many albums only "Itoiz" stands out as a real folk-progressive masterpiece. Their pompous arrangements remind GENESIS and CAMEL although ITOIZ also draw from their own folklore. The eponymous debut-album (1978) from Itoiz is a wonderful blend of folk and symphonic rock, very original with only some hints to CAMEL and early GENESIS. It contains 8 melodic and tasteful crafted compositions. The music ranges from mellow with flute and acoustic guitar to more up-tempo featuring keyboards and fiery electric guitar. The vocals in the Basque language sound very warm. Highlight is the long track "Goizeko Deihadar", running time at about 10 minutes. It opens with tender Fender Rhodes electric piano play, strings and pleasant vocals, to continue with a mid-tempo rhythm, Hammond organ waves, fiery electric guitar runs and some short solos on the ARP synthesizer. In the second part the electric guitar howls like Steve HOWE at his best! The song ends with fluteplay in a mellow atmosphere, very enjoyable music.Their second LP is in the same vein and as good as the first. Synths were omitted and sax and violin added. "Alkolea" is good too. From their fourth album on ITOIZ were largely a pop band, creating straight catchy melodies. With these later albums they became one of the most successful Basque groups in the eighties. Line-up / Musicians Joseba Erkiaga/flute Estanis Osinalde/drums Juan Carlos Perez/guitar,vocals Jose Garate/bass Jose Antonio Fernandez/keyboards Paco Chamorro/sax Itziar Egileor/vocals Discography(Album) Ezekiel 1980
1.Ezekielen Prophezia 2.Ezekielen Esnatzea I 3.Ezekielen Esnatzea II 4.Ezekiel 5.Ezekielen Ikasgaia 6.Ezekielen Ametza 7.Ezekielen Erantzuna 8.Ezekiel- Ia Maitasun Kantu Bat
Around the late 60's/early 70's, this English folk-prog trio released four similar albums under four different band names: ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS, TOMORROW COME SOME DAY, AGINCOURT and finally ITHACA. ITHACA's music is a combination of pastoral folk rock, psychedelia and progressive rock with gentle male/female vocal interplay. Their style is dreamy, very laid back and flows in a breezy, unassuming fashion. Lee Menelaus in particular, the female vocalist, projects a sweet (very sweet) serene tone yet not at all sappy. The self-produced "A Game for All Who Know", released in 1973, bears the lighter shades of both West Coast and British psychedelia, with the occasional Mellotron showing a marked early 70's MOODY BLUES influence. The album is made up of six longish tracks of beautiful interwoven songs with quasi-mystical lyrics; these may be a little lightweight in their naïveté but the tunes are melodious and tastefully produced, featuring mainly mandolin, flutes, recorders, classical guitar and autoharp plus some nice tape experiments of added sounds. Line-up / Musicians Joe Ferdinando/vocals,bass,guitars,organ,auto harp Peter Howell/guitars,mandolin,piano,organ,percussion Lee Menelaus/vocals Brian Hussey/drums Andrew Lowcock/flute Robert Ferdinando/guitar Discography A Game for All Who Know 1973
1.Journey 2.Questions 3.Times 4.Feelings 5.Dream 6.A Game For All Who Know
International Harvester only played together for three years, the first under another name, but they were an influential group for Swedish progressive rock. While making sonic experiments and deep excursions into psychedelic rock, their biggest contribution was probably that they were the foundation on which the more famous group Träd, Gräs och Stenar was built. International Harvester started as the short-lived experimental group Pärsson Sound. The group formed in 1967 in Stockholm by guitarist Bo Anders Persson and included cello player Ericsson and violinist Yman, both with a musical education and playing on homemade electric instruments. Saxophonist Tidholm was a film student and a poet, drummer Gantz had played with the progressive dance orchestra Mecki Mark Men, and at times the band also included an extra drummer, Berger. Pärsson Sound was mainly an instrumental group and their music was not very accessible. At times they let a tape pass two tape recorders on stage, one recording and one playing, which meant the music returned, overdubbed and distorted in an increasing mass of tones and noise. They played a number of gigs at the club Filips, the main spot for progressive rock in Stockholm, and started to get more well-known after a festival in Kungsträdgården, where Don Cherry and Peps Persson also played. In 1968 they changed their name to International Harvester and abandoned the most extreme sonic experiments, instead putting the focus on folk music and psychedelic rock. Tidholm's vocals were allowed more space and in stressing the collective and improvising aspect, the band gave a hint of what would come with Träd, Gräs och Stenar a few years later. Living together in a collective, they made films and composed music, including the soundtrack for a few professional films. On Öjvind Fahlströms' Du Gamla du Fria, the band created and improvised all the music while the cameras were rolling.The debut album Sov Gott Rose-Marie was released in 1968 on Love, a Finish label, since there were no Swedish alternative labels around and no commercial labels were interested. But already in 1969 alternative labels had started to pop up, and with the name shortened to Harvester the band released their second album, Hemåt, on Decibel. Later that year, Tidholm and Yman left. Tidholm formed Hot Boys but was to become most well-known as a poet and a writer of plays and children's books. The remaining members formed Träd, Gräs och Stenar and toured Scandinavia intensely for a few years, taking the idea of interactivity one step further by involving the audience in the music making. With a climate increasingly receptive for psychedelic music Träd, Gräs och Stenar were more successful than International Harvester, but otherwise they had much in common, building on elements of psychedelic rock, blues-rock, and folk music. Line-up / Musicians Bo Anders Persson/guitars,vocals Thomas Tidholm/saxophone,flute,vocals Urban Yman/violin Arne Eriksson/cello Torbjorn Abelli/bass Thomas Gartz/drums,vocals Discography Sov gott Rose-Marie 1968
1.Dies Irae 2.I villande skogen 3.There is no other place 4.The Runcorn report on western progress 5.Statsministern 6.Ho Chi Minh 7.It's only love 8.Klockan ar mycket nu 9.Ut till vanster 10.Sommarlaten 11.Sov gott Rose-Marie 12.I mourn you 13.How to survive
This melodic pop band was formed in Cremona around 1967, and had a rather anonymous career with the early production, their only interesting album being the nice Pensando from 1972.Their first album Cercando la vita contains the typical Italian melodic pop of that era, with the voice in evidence and the organ as the main instrument, a short (around 30 minutes long) LP that includes eight tracks all around three minutes with the sole exception of the long title track; the album was re-released a year later as Hydra with just an extra track.Pensando is a surprisingly good album, mainly organ-driven and with some fuzz guitar. Vocal parts are good despite some melodic influences and not great lyrics typical of the Italian post-beat groups. There are very nice tracks on it like Un pugno di mosche, also on single, Maria and Amo mia madre, but the 10 tracks, all in the 3-4 minute range could have better instrumental developments.The band disbanded around 1975 and their last production was again in a commercial direction, their last single Piccolo amore was presented at that year's Disco per l'Estate contest. Line-up / Musicians Silverio "Silver" Scivoli/keyboards,vocals Luciano Spotti/guitar Roberto Caroli/drums Gigi Puzzo/bass Giuliano Quarantotto/bass,vocals Discography(Album) Pensando 1972
1.Ingresso 2.Ma Per Colpa Di Chi? 3.Unpugno Di Mosche 4.Amo Mia Madre 5.Maria 6.Sogni E Delusioni 7.Fortuna E Ragione 8.Nella Tua Mente 9.Qualcosa Per Sognare 10.Sortita
This Nuremberg group began to play together as early as 1961 under the name Blizzards. They used the name Improved Sound Limited from 1966 onwards. In the late sixties, they specialised in delivering soundtracks for German television and movies by Michael Verhoeven. “Engelchen Macht Weiter, Hoppe, Hoppe Reiter” (1969) was the soundtrack from a Verhoeven film, released on the same label as the first Gomorrah album. Their self-titled double album for Liberty was very inspired by the American folk-rock of Bob Dylan and The Band. Dylan was mentioned several times in the clever lyrics (from now on written by Axel’s brother Bernd), for example, in “Doctor Bob Dylan”. Improved Sound Limited also merged some more European elements into their folky rock style, such as some fine flute phrases. Regrettably, their passion for American music led them closer to country music on “Catch A Singin’ Bird” (1973). Quite good compositions and lyrics (“The Dark Lord” was about Tolkien’s “Lord Of The Rings”!), but not exactly performed in the idle way most of us like. Pedal steel guitar was played by Frank Baum and Ralph Nowy guested on trumpet and sax. Improved Sound Limited changed their name to Condor in 1976 and released another album: “Rathbone Hotel” (1976). Line-up / Musicians Johnny Fickert/vocals,percussion,flutes Axel Linstadt/guitars,keyboards Uli Ruppert/bass Rolf Groschner/drums Discography(Album) Improved Sound Limited 1971
1.Doctor Bob Dylan 2.Pink Hawthorn 3.Johanna 4.If You Want To 5.Oedipus 6.Fudd McGorges 7.Thingamannalime 8.An Old Army Poem 9.Where Will The Salmon Spawn 10.To My Son 11.Shining Brightly In The Sun 12.It Is You (You Belong To Me) 13.Columbines, Violets And Daisies 14.I Am The Wolf 15.A Well-Respected Man 16.Drunken Mr. Hyde 17.A Soldier's Songbook
I Santoni were formed in Florence in the second half of the 60's, the early line-up included bassist Marco Puggelli and drummer Wilson Lupi, later replaced by Giovanni Rondelli and Fabrizio Prussi. In 1971 their first single was issued by Car Juke Box, Amico mio, which demonstrated the group's sound, based on the Hammond organ played by Bruno Mosti and the flutes and saxes of Bettazzi and Gorini.The ultrarare only album by I Santoni was released in 1972, but like similar LP's from that period (I Boom, Laser, Raminghi, Il Mucchio) it's strongly influenced by a sixties sound. The starting track Quelli come noi (also on single) reminds of Delirium's Jesahel with good flute work. The rest of the album is on a good level, though never particularly exciting.The nine tracks (all in the 3-4 minute range with the sole exception of Verità at 5:33) show the good voice in evidence as was common practice in the 60's Italian pop.The LP was not very successful, but gave the group the chance to play all over Italy and later in France and Switzerland, until their break-up in 1974. Line-up / Musicians Bruno Mosti/vocals,keyboards Franco Bettazzi/sax,flute Giorgio Gorini/sax,flute,vocals Giovanni Rondelli/bass,guitars Fabrizio Prussi/drums,vocals Discography Noi 1972
1.Quelli Come Noi 2.Ma ci Sara 3.Forse un Sogno 4.Continuare Dimenticando 5.La Terra del Sole 6.Che Farei 7.L'Uomo Sbagliato 8.Verita 9.Ancora Niente
