Artist/ Band:
Title: Melapesante
Label: Electromantic Music
Year of Release: 2010
Offical Artist/ Band Link

The Review:

This is another one of those long time returns from the distant past bands. Seventeen years after their last release (Inca 1993, and first one was Spleen 1992), Syndone have their third CD and this one has some fantastic Italian progressive music on it. Nik Comoglio was the brainchild of the first two and of course he is in charge here too, along with a multitude of both bandmates and guest musicians. I’ve listed a partial lineup at end of this review to give you an idea of things. This large array of musicians presents a canopy of styles which range from brilliant PFM/Acqua Fragile progressive rock to ragtime ditties. Some might feel Syndone cover too many different styles on this recording but for those who like things changing from song to song, it is a fine example of that for sure.

The first cut starts out the high energy jazz rock similar to a mix of Arti & Mestieri/Banco and that ilk of style, but gives way to some beautiful vocals before diving back into the jazz rock You have another high energy song right after this one that contains some great playful keyboard work. The third song is totally great! It has that pinnacle of classic progressive rock hook and sinker. Worth the price for this song alone. FANTASTIC! This is followed by a very Celeste/PFM (the mellow stuff like off Photos Of Ghost - example” Old Rain”) sounding song on classical guitar and sung so beautifully in a folk style, and at end, a playful part that fades into song 5. Things change on a dime and from second to second in most of these songs so it’s quite difficult to describe this whole CD without a play by play call, and I don’t have enough time or space to do that so the overview will have to suffice.

To be clear, there is no shortage of creative great music here, and it’s theatrical at times, playful at some spots, and just fall back into the easy chair great much of the time. Anyone into the wide variety of Italian progressive music we’ve been lucky enough to hear over the decades, should be thrilled to own this. It’s representative of the top of the crop of those Italian bands with no weakness at all. VERY RECOMMENDED!!! I certainly hope for another CD from Nik and band. Check out the musicians on this. LINEUP:

  • Nik Comoglio – pianos, Hammond, Moog, keyboards; vocals
  • Francesco Pinetti – vibraphone, timpani
  • Paolo Rigotto – drums, percussion
  • Federico Marchesano – bass
  • Riccardo Ruggeri – vocals

    With:

  • Paola Perardi - cello (2, 5, 6)
  • Umberto Clerici - cello (2, 5, 6)
  • Claudia Ravetto - cello (2, 5, 6)
  • Gomalan Brass Quintet (6, 8)
  • Elena Favilla – viola (2, 6)
  • Marina Bertolo – violin (6)
  • Luigi Finetto – oboe (9)

Reviewed by Lee Henderson on July 10th, 2011

Tracks:

01. Melancholia D'ophelia
02. Allegro Feroce
03. Melapesante
04. Magritte
05. Giardino Delle Esperidi
06. Malo In Adversity
07. Mela Pensante
08. Mela Di Tell
09. Dentro L'inconscio
10. 4 Hands Piano Boogieprog

Reviewed Discography

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