Record Reviews

ACQUA FRAGILE ~ ACQUA FRAGILE ESOTERIC 2277 (Barcode: 5013929737723) ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1973 Released: 2011 This is the 1st album by Italian Prog band Acqua FragileFind albums by this artist, led by the great vocalist Bernardo LanzettiFind albums by this artist, who later became the lead singer for PFMFind albums by this artist, the best known of the great Italian bands. Lanzetti´s vocals, sung in English, are of course the highlight of the band, but it also included four great instrumentalists and their material was truly excellent, from start to end, and in fact better than most. Often compared to the top British bands of the period, the band´s two albums are absolute Prog classics. Having been our of circulation for many years, this new reissue is a most welcome event, as every Prog fan will sure love to get his hands on this beauty!

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

ACQUA FRAGILE ~ MASS-MEDIA STARS ESOTERIC 2278 (Barcode: 5013929737822) ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1974 Released: 2011 This is the 2nd and last album by Italian Prog band Acqua FragileFind albums by this artist, led by the great vocalist Bernardo LanzettiFind albums by this artist, who later became the lead singer for PFMFind albums by this artist, the best known of the great Italian bands. Lanzetti´s vocals, sung in English, are of course the highlight of the band, but it also included four great instrumentalists and their material was truly excellent, from start to end, and in fact better than most. Often compared to the top British bands of the period, the band´s two albums are absolute Prog classics. Having been our of circulation for many years, this new reissue is a most welcome event, as every Prog fan will sure love to get his hands on this beauty!

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

ARS NOVA ~ BIOGENESIS PROJECT MUSEA 4532 (Barcode: 3426300045324) ~ JAPAN ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2002 - 2003 Released: 2003 4th album by Japanese Prog trio Ars NovaFind albums by this artist, which plays a modern version of music first created by groups like NiceFind albums by this artist, TraceFind albums by this artist or RefugeeFind albums by this artist. So far nothing extraordinary, but considering the fact that all three players are female changes the picture a bit. Since I’m a big admirer of female musicians, who are not intimidated by the male-dominated world of Prog (in particular) and Music (in general). Of course the fact that they are female isn’t enough to make Ars Nova the superb group it is – but their talents as composers and instrumentalists. The band’s albums are mostly extensive and complex concept works, based on literary or mythical themes. This one is no exception with a story line based on a Science Fiction futuristic idea. On this one the band gets a huge cast of supporting / guest artist (many of them Prog legends), who are members of groups like Balletto Di BronzoFind albums by this artist, PFMFind albums by this artist, GerardFind albums by this artist, AyeronFind albums by this artist and others. The music is bombastic and dramatic, but all in good taste, making it an ideal meal for Symphonic Prog lovers. Definitely worth checking out.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO ~ AS IN A LAST SUPPER ESOTERIC / MANTICORE 1010 (Barcode: 5013929381025) ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1976 Released: 2010 Italian Prog giants Banco Del Mutuo SoccorsoFind albums by this artist were the second Italian Prog band (after PFMFind albums by this artist) signed by the Emerson, Lake & PalmerFind albums by this artist owned ManticoreFind albums on this label label, to promote the band in UK and US. The band was formed in Rome in 1969 and changed its lineup several times before a stable equilibrium of talent was finally achieved. The founders, brothers Gianni NocenziFind albums by this artist and Vittorio NocenziFind albums by this artist, both keyboards players, were joined by vocalist Francesco Di GiacomoFind albums by this artist, guitarist Rodolfo MalteseFind albums by this artist, bassist Renato D`AngeloFind albums by this artist and drummer Pier Luigi CalderoniFind albums by this artist. Following the release of three masterpiece albums in their native country, this was their second (and sadly the last) UK release and it includes violinist Angelo BraduardiFind albums by this artist in the lineup, who was also responsible for the English language version of the lyrics. The album was released simultaneously in Italy (and with lyrics in Italian) under the title "Come In Un`Ultima CenaFind albums with this title" and in UK under this title. This is a concept album with the "Last Supper" as it center theme, which raised a certain level of controversy at the time. This is classic stuff, well known to most serious Prog fans, so there is no need to say much more, except for the fact that this album is often considered as the band´s best work. The English accent, often ridiculed by some of the less polite critics, has a charm in itself for me. A classic!

Updated: 17/05/2019Posted:

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO ~ BANCO ESOTERIC / MANTICORE 1009 (Barcode: 5013929380929) ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1975 Released: 2010 Italian Prog giants Banco Del Mutuo SoccorsoFind albums by this artist were the second Italian Prog band (after PFMFind albums by this artist) signed by the Emerson, Lake & PalmerFind albums by this artist owned ManticoreFind albums on this label label, to promote the band in UK and US. The band was formed in Rome in 1969 and changed its lineup several times before a stable equilibrium of talent was finally achieved. The founders, brothers Gianni NocenziFind albums by this artist and Vittorio NocenziFind albums by this artist, both keyboards players, were joined by vocalist Francesco Di GiacomoFind albums by this artist, guitarist Rodolfo MalteseFind albums by this artist, bassist Renato D`AngeloFind albums by this artist and drummer Pier Luigi CalderoniFind albums by this artist. Following the release of three masterpiece albums in their native country, this was their UK debut. It contains three new compositions and the rest of the material consists of re-makes of material from their earlier albums with English lyrics, written by Marva Jan MarrowFind albums by this artist, who also wrote English lyrics for PFM albums. This is classic stuff, well known to most serious Prog fans, so there is no need to say much more, except for the fact that this album is often mistakes as a "best of" compilation, which it is not by any standard. The English accent is also often ridiculed by some of the less polite critics, which is true in some respect, but has a charm in itself for me. A classic!

Updated: 17/05/2019Posted:

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO ~ IO SONO NATO LIBERO (LEGACY EDITION) SONY 889854682224 (Barcode: 889854682224) ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1973 - 2017 Released: 2017 This is a reissue of the third album by the iconic Italian Prog group Banco Del Mutuo SoccorsoFind albums by this artist, which closed the legendary early album trilogy the group recorded, which includes also the eponymous debut and the album "Darwin!Find albums with this title" and which defines the illustrious origins of the Italian Prog movement together with the early recordings by PFMFind albums by this artist and Le OrmeFind albums by this artist. At the time the album was recorded (1973) the group´s lineup included the founders / keyboardists brothers Vittorio NocenziFind albums by this artist and Gianni NocenziFind albums by this artist, guitarist Marcello TodaroFind albums by this artist, bassist Renato D`AngeloFind albums by this artist, drummer Pier Luigi CalderoniFind albums by this artist and charismatic vocalist Francesco Di GiacomoFind albums by this artist. The album presents only five tracks, including the epic over fifteen minutes long opening track, with all music by Vittorio Nocenzi except one track by Gianni Nocenzi and lyrics by Francesco Di Giacomo and Vittorio Nocenzi. This Legacy Edition is lavishly packaged in a digibook format and includes a booklet with in depth essay and the lyrics (sadly only) in Italian and splendid photographs, as well as a bonus CD, which is described below. Over the years countless reviews of the album were written and published, so there is no point in repeating the obvious praises. It is however important to remember that this music defined the Prog idiom, and took it to its zenith, which as I have repeatedly stated, stays firmly at its place and the Prog genre over the years didn´t manage to go above or beyond it, which perhaps is more of a blessing than a criticism. It is also important to remember that the individuals behind Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso were always socially / politically aware persons and their lyrics touched upon raw nerves more often than not. More on this subject below… The real surprise of this reissue is the included bonus CD, which presents a new and unreleased album recorded in 2017 by the current lineup of the band. Fronted by the original founding member, keyboardist / composer Vittorio Nocenzi, the band also includes lead guitarist Filippo MarcheggianiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Nicola Di GiàFind albums by this artist, bassist Marco CapoziFind albums by this artist, drummer Fabio MorescoFind albums by this artist and lead vocalist Tony D`AlessioFind albums by this artist. The album entitled "La Libertà DifficileFind albums with this title" (Difficult Freedom) presents five tracks, four of which were composed by Vittorio Nocenzi and one was co-composed by Vittorio Nocenzi and his son Michelangelo NocenziFind albums by this artist. It also includes a recorded interview with Vittorio Nocenzi. As the album´s title suggests the subject matter is a reflection upon the issues touched upon in "Io Sono Nato LiberoFind albums with this title" from a forty four years perspective and asks difficult questions like "Che Libertà?" (What Freedom?) and makes somber statements like "…Che Non Si Ferma Mai" (…That Never Sops), which of course reflect the contemporary social / political situation as seen by many people today. The music on the "La Libertà Difficile" album is a wonderful reflection of the classic sound and style of the Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso heyday period. The same approach to melody, harmony and instrumentation appears here, with only slightly updated sound and production techniques, but faithfully preserving the overall retro ambience. The philosophical concept subject matter also returns, adding an intellectual dimension to the entire project. It is a splendid forerunner to the wonderful "TransiberianaFind albums with this title" album recorded by the same lineup two years later. Overall this is a superb package, even for people who already have a copy of the "Io Sono Nato Libero" album, as the bonus "La Libertà Difficile" album and the packaging are absolutely worth having. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 18/05/2019Posted: 18/05/2019

CD 2 Digibook Recommend To A Friend

BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO ~ TRANSIBERIANA (LIMITED EDITION) SONY 190759343722 (Barcode: 190759343722) ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019 On May 10, 2019, the day this album was released, I happened to be in Rome, so there was no way I was going to ignore the event and not get a copy of a new Banco Del Mutuo SoccorsoFind albums by this artist album, released twenty two years after their last studio album "NudoFind albums with this title". After all they were obviously a significant part of the soundtrack of my life as one of the three leading Italian Prog bands in the 1970s together with PFMFind albums by this artist and Le OrmeFind albums by this artist. Fronted by the original founding member, keyboardist / composer Vittorio NocenziFind albums by this artist, the band also includes lead guitarist Filippo MarcheggianiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Nicola Di GiàFind albums by this artist, bassist Marco CapoziFind albums by this artist, drummer Fabio MorescoFind albums by this artist and lead vocalist Tony D`AlessioFind albums by this artist. The album presents, as expected, a concept journey suite comprising of eleven tracks. All the music was co-composed by Vittorio Nocenzi and his son Michelangelo NocenziFind albums by this artist, This Limited Edition is lavishly packaged in a digibook format and includes a 44-page booklet with in depth essay and the lyrics in Italian and English and splendid photographs, as well as two bonus tracks recorded live in 2018. Although the Prog genre lost its "progressive" characteristic by the end of the 1970s and didn´t move an inch forward since, this does not mean that it lost its Artistic values. Some wonderful music was created within the Prog idiom over the years and this album is a wonderful illustration of such a case. Prog simply became a "closed" genre, which offers ambitious, sophisticated and intelligent Rock music, with an emphasis on well structured melodic themes, which serve as basis for extended improvisations, blending Classical, Rock and Jazz flavors in a kaleidoscope of sounds, which has a distinct keyboards dominated sound. On this album Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso return to their heyday period, during which they created their first three albums: the eponymous debut, "Darwin!Find albums with this title" and "Io Sono Nato LiberoFind albums with this title", all classic examples of Italian Prog. The same approach to melody, harmony and instrumentation appears here, with only slightly updated sound and production techniques, but faithfully preserving the overall retro ambience. The philosophical concept subject matter also returns, adding an intellectual dimension to the entire project. Altogether the album offers a superb collection of wonderful melodies, full of typical Italian lyricism, beautiful harmony and heartbreaking sincerity. The Italian lyrics work like magic and honestly even reading a telephone book in Italian sounds simply stupendous. Some "critics" will probably claim that this is all about nostalgia, but the truth is that this album has nothing to do with nostalgia. It is completely fresh and contemporary, and the fact that it is still presented as or considered as Prog does not weaken its value whatsoever. Yes, there is not much innovation here, but everything is done with exquisite elegance, taste and flair, as only the most talented musicians are able to create a perfect piece of music based on a tradition, which they wish to preserve. Overall this is a magnificent album, full of great music, superb playing and full of aesthetic values, which are sadly mostly gone from our present reality. A rare gem proving that not all is lost and some musical sanity is still around us. Thank you Gentlemen for this gift of music!

Updated: 17/05/2019Posted: 17/05/2019

CD 1 Digibook Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

EZRA WINSTON ~ ANCIENT AFTERNOONS ROCK SYMPHONY 053 (Barcode: 7898217280536) ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1990 Released: 2000 2nd album by the superb Italian Symphonic Prog band Ezra WinstonFind albums by this artist, which is universally accepted as one of the best Italian Prog bands in all times and equaled with past giants, such as PFMFind albums by this artist. The album ranks among Prog fans as one of the best Prog albums in all times. Although recorded in the 1990’s, it is never considered as Neo-Prog, as it truly preserves the original approach and sound of the 1970’s. With beautiful melodies, serene atmosphere, rich instrumentation and long well developed compositions (one of which is 26+ minutes long), the album truly holds everything dear to a Symphonic Prog fan. This edition is the CD reissue of the original LP and has one bonus track. Essential!

Updated: 21/09/2021Posted:

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

PFM ~ CHOCOLATE KINGS (EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC / MANTICORE 1008 (Barcode: 5013929380820) ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1975 Released: 2010 Italian Prog Giants PFMFind albums by this artist (Premiata Forneria Marconi) was among the very few non-UK European Prog groups to actively pursue international exposure outside of their native country. An incidental meeting between the band and Greg LakeFind albums by this artist led to the signing of PFM to the ManticoreFind albums on this label label owned by Emerson, Lake & PalmerFind albums by this artist, which started to release the band´s albums in UK (and US) and promoted the band worldwide. This was the 4th album the band released on the label. PFM consisted of vocalist Bernardo LanzettiFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Flavio PremoliFind albums by this artist, guitarist Franco MussidaFind albums by this artist, violinist / flautist Mauro PaganiFind albums by this artist, bassist Patrick DjivasFind albums by this artist and drummer Franz Di CioccioFind albums by this artist. Among them they possessed incredible instrumental powers, compositional ability and vocal delivery and harmony, which was almost unparallel with any other Prog group at the time. Long and complex instrumental passages, performed mostly on keyboards, quiet contemplative moments and deeply melodic and harmonic compositions and arrangements turned their albums into Prog heaven. This expanded edition adds a whole CD of previously unreleased live material as a bonus. Essential music for body and soul!

Updated: 16/01/2022Posted:

CD 2 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

PFM ~ COOK (EXPANDED DELUXE EDITION) ESOTERIC / MANTICORE 1011 (Barcode: 5013929381124) ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1974 Released: 2010 This live recording by Italian Prog group PFMFind albums by this artist was always considered as the peak of their international career. Recorded during their 1974 North American tour, the original album released at the time included excerpts from their Toronto and NY performances. This magnificent Box Set presents the original album on the first CD in this set and also the complete NY concert, which occupies the two additional CDs included in the set. Of course the music is excellent, as all PFM fans already know, with the group being at their creative peak, playing their hearts out. In retrospect the extended live performances are even more valuable that the respective studio versions of the songs, presenting Prog music played live with plenty of space for improvisation and unlimited imagination. An absolute must to all PFM fans, Italian Prog fans and basically all listeners of good music!

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

PFM ~ I DREAMED OF ELECTRIC SHEEP INSIDEOUT 580 (Barcode: 194398537429) ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2021 Released: 2021 This is an album by veteran, legendary Italian Prog band PFMFind albums by this artist, which follows their previous album “Emotional TattoosFind albums with this title” from 2017. Co-led by original members: vocalist / drummer Franz Di CioccioFind albums by this artist and bassist Patrick DjivasFind albums by this artist, the band also includes guitarist Marco SfogliFind albums by this artist, violinist Lucio FabbriFind albums by this artist and keyboardists Alessandro ScaglioneFind albums by this artist and Alberto BravinFind albums by this artist. Prog icons Ian AndersonFind albums by this artist and Steve HackettFind albums by this artist guest on one track. The album presents ten tracks, three of which are instrumentals and seven have lyrics. Same as on the previous album, this album also consists of two CDs, one with English and the other with Italian lyrics, with the identical instrumental background. The music is classic Symphonic Prog, which sound like something that might have been recorded in the early 1970s, and offers the typical Italian Prog mixture of lush lyrical, highly melodic music, which has a unique sonic signature, that no other Prog bands from outside of Italy are able to reproduce. Of course the CD with the Italian lyrics sound way better that the one with the English lyrics, since the Italian language is simply highly musical on its own and fits the instrumental background perfectly. This is true as far as every Italian bi-lingual album ever released, and there are quite a few of those. There is absolutely nothing innovative or different on this album that was not already stated fifty years earlier, but it still sounds great, at least to me, and infinitely better than anything Neo-Prog has to offer in the years that followed. This is like tasting a piece of cake your Grandmother baked when you were a toddler, which you never tasted again since. Overall, this is a solid / classic Italian Prog album, which offers a pleasant trip down the memory lane, and which will be obviously loved unconditionally by the fans of the genre. I had an absolute blast listening to this album and I am sure many other true Prog lovers will share the same kind of experience. Hats off to these two musicians in their mid-seventies, who carry playing what they believe in.

Updated: 16/05/2023Posted: 16/01/2022

CD 2 Recommend To A Friend

PFM ~ JET LEG (EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC / MANTICORE 1007 (Barcode: 5013929380721) ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1977 Released: 2010 Italian Prog Giants PFMFind albums by this artist (Premiata Forneria Marconi) was among the very few non-UK European Prog groups to actively pursue international exposure outside of their native country. An incidental meeting between the band and Greg LakeFind albums by this artist led to the signing of PFM to the ManticoreFind albums on this label label owned by Emerson, Lake & PalmerFind albums by this artist, which started to release the band´s albums in UK (and US) and promoted the band worldwide. This was the 5th and last album the band released on the label, which folded soon after. PFM consisted of vocalist Bernardo LanzettiFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Flavio PremoliFind albums by this artist, guitarist Franco MussidaFind albums by this artist, violinist Gregory BlochFind albums by this artist, bassist Patrick DjivasFind albums by this artist and drummer Franz Di CioccioFind albums by this artist. Among them they possessed incredible instrumental powers, compositional ability and vocal delivery and harmony, which was almost unparallel with any other Prog group at the time. Long and complex instrumental passages, performed mostly on keyboards, quiet contemplative moments and deeply melodic and harmonic compositions and arrangements turned their albums into Prog heaven. This expanded edition adds a rare live track as a bonus. Essential music for body and soul!

Updated: 16/01/2022Posted:

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

PFM ~ PER UN AMICO SI-WAN 1010 ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock 2nd album from 1972 by this classic Italian band. Heavily influenced by Symphonic groups such as Yes, but with a richer instrumentation (flute, violin) they perform masterly and flawlessly. Considered as one of the best Prog albums of all times, certaily among the Italian output. Their association with ELP brought them international fame, as opposed to other Italian bands that remained largely unknown outside Italy.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

PFM ~ PHOTOS OF GHOSTS (EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC / MANTICORE 1006 (Barcode: 5013929380622) ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1973 Released: 2010 Italian Prog Giants PFMFind albums by this artist (Premiata Forneria Marconi) was among the very few non-UK European Prog groups to actively pursue international exposure outside of their native country. An incidental meeting between the band and Greg LakeFind albums by this artist led to the signing of PFM to the ManticoreFind albums on this label label owned by Emerson, Lake & PalmerFind albums by this artist, which started to issue English language version of the band´s albums in UK (and US), in parallel to the release of the Italian language versions released in Italy. As a result, several of PFM albums exist in two different versions (and with different titles), creating quite a confusion among record collectors. This album is the first of these "twofold" releases and the band´s 1st album released in UK. It is almost identical to the band´s 2nd album "Per Un AmicoFind albums with this title", re-recorded with English lyrics written by Peter SinfieldFind albums by this artist, who also produced the album. PFM consisted of keyboardist Flavio PremoliFind albums by this artist, guitarist Franco MussidaFind albums by this artist, violinist / flautist Mauro PaganiFind albums by this artist, bassist Giorgio PiazzaFind albums by this artist and drummer Franz Di CioccioFind albums by this artist. Among them they possessed incredible instrumental powers, compositional ability and vocal delivery and harmony, which was almost unparallel with any other Prog group at the time. Long and complex instrumental passages, performed mostly on keyboards, quiet contemplative moments of gentle flute and deeply melodic and harmonic compositions and arrangements turned their albums into Prog heaven. This expanded edition solves the sound quality issues of the earlier releases and adds a massive amount of bonus material. Essential music for body and soul!

Updated: 16/01/2022Posted:

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

PFM ~ STORIA DI UN MINUTO SI-WAN 1009 ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock 1st album from 1972 by this brilliant Italian band called initially Permata Forneria Marconi, later shortened to PFM. Although heavily influenced by UK Prog groups, they managed to add many original ideas and also incorporate the traditional Italian love of bombastic clasical pieces. Considered by many as one of the best Italian Prog albums of all times.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

PFM ~ THE EVENT AERESTELLA 1008 (Barcode: 8034094090953) ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023 This is a live album by the legendary Italian Prog group PFMFind albums by this artist, recorded at the Lugano Jazz Festival in 2022. Co-led by the founding members: vocalist / drummer Franz Di CioccioFind albums by this artist and bassist Patrick DjivasFind albums by this artist, the band also includes violinist / keyboardist Lucio FabbriFind albums by this artist, keyboardists Alessandro ScaglioneFind albums by this artist and drummer Eugenio MoriFind albums by this artist. Since the regular guitarist of the group, Marco SfogliFind albums by this artist, was not able to appear, two guest musicians were invited to join, both young rising stars on the Italian music scene: guitarist Matteo MancusoFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Luca ZabbiniFind albums by this artist. The album presents sixteen tracks, which span the entire output the band in the last five decades. The music is, not surprisingly, a brilliant display of Italian Prog at its best, full of gorgeous melodies, typical Italian lyricism and brilliant instrumental parts by all the musicians. It is plainly obvious that this music is absolutely ageless and sounds as good today as it sounded decades ago. There is not much innovation or new discovery herein, but sometime the best things are better left untouched. I have recently attended a Prog Festival, where I had the opportunity to see many veteran Prog musicians perform and had also the opportunity to talk to them at ease. I was surprised by the energies and vitality of these people, not that time did not leave a mark on them, but despite the fact that it did. Even if they play the same music they played half a Century ago, they still do it with passion and total dedication, and the least we, who enjoyed the fruits of their labor for so long, can do, is to respect them for going on, which is anything but obvious. This album lasts for almost eighty minutes and there is not a dull moment here. The music flows briskly from one tune another and the melodies seem to be as heartbreaking as they were the first time I heard them, which is pretty incredible. Overall, this is a superb live album, which summarizes perfectly the PFM phenomenon, but also the Italian Prog in general, proving it is still some of the best music one can hear today, as long as these great musicians are alive. Hearing the two “youngsters” on the stage certainly opens hope for the future as well. Absolutely not to be missed!

Updated: 07/08/2023Posted: 07/08/2023

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

PFM ~ THE WORLD BECAME THE WORLD (EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC / MANTICORE 1005 (Barcode: 5013929380523) ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1973 - 1974 Released: 2010 Italian Prog Giants PFMFind albums by this artist (Premiata Forneria Marconi) was among the very few non-UK European Prog groups to actively pursue international exposure outside of their native country. An incidental meeting between the band and Greg LakeFind albums by this artist led to the signing of PFM to the ManticoreFind albums on this label label owned by Emerson, Lake & PalmerFind albums by this artist, which started to issue English language version of the band´s albums in UK (and US), in parallel to the release of the Italian language versions released in Italy. As a result, several of PFM albums exist in two different versions (and with different titles), creating quite a confusion among record collectors. This album is the second of these "twofold" releases and the band´s 2nd album released in UK. It is almost identical to the band´s 3rd album "L`Isola Di NienteFind albums with this title", re-recorded with English lyrics written by Peter SinfieldFind albums by this artist, who also produced the album. PFM consisted of keyboardist Flavio PremoliFind albums by this artist, guitarist Franco MussidaFind albums by this artist, violinist / flautist Mauro PaganiFind albums by this artist, bassist Patrick DjivasFind albums by this artist and drummer Franz Di CioccioFind albums by this artist. Among them they possessed incredible instrumental powers, compositional ability and vocal delivery and harmony, which was almost unparallel with any other Prog group at the time. Long and complex instrumental passages, performed mostly on keyboards, quiet contemplative moments of gentle flute and deeply melodic and harmonic compositions and arrangements turned their albums into Prog heaven. This expanded edition solves the sound quality issues of the earlier releases and adds a massive amount of bonus material. Essential music for body and soul!

Updated: 16/01/2022Posted:

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

TEMPUS FUGIT ~ TALES FROM A FORGOTTEN WORLD (EXPANDED EDITION) MASQUE 0406 ~ BRAZIL ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1993 - 1997 Released: 2006 1st album by the Brazilian Prog band Tempus FugitFind albums by this artist took the Prog wold by surprise, as it was a superbly written and executed worthy of a veteran band and not a newcomer. Heavily influenced by classic Italian bands (PFMFind albums by this artist and others) as well as British Prog (MarillionFind albums by this artist, YesFind albums by this artist, etc.) this is a beautifully lyrical album, full of outstanding melodies and long epic themes. The guitar and keyboards provide rich and colorful sonic textures and the vocals (in English), although sparse, are also well suited to the entire musical fabric. Fans of Symphonic Prog will be delighted by this masterpiece from start to finish. The Expanded edition add two demo tracks from 1993, previously unreleased. Most warmly recommended!

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend