TRACCE MEDITERRANEE

This is a captivating musical project from Italy, rooted in 1991. The musical brainchild is Banco member Rodolfo Maltese (guitars and horn). Indaco have made 6 studio albums, one live album and just released this live DVD (recorded early 2006 in Rome, Italy). As the title suggests, it's an encounter of ethnic music from countries around the Mediteranean See: we can enjoy the Greek bouzouki, the Spanish flamenco, assorted Arabian percussion and instruments like the flute, bagpipe, violin, clarinet, horn (by Rodolfo Maltese!) and acoustic guitar. Along these folky elements, the music also contains prog elements by playing on drums, electric bass, keyboards and electric guitar and - sitar. All in all a colourful blend of instruments that sounds captivating, especially in compositions like Andalusiana (a bit sultry climate and an exciting mix of bagpipe, bouzouki, flute and percussion along fluent work on piano and flamenco guitar), Ascea (bagpipe, bouzouki and Minimoog-like flights), Teatro Do Mar (compelling with bluesy vocals, tango-like accordeon and again delicate flamenco guitar play), Mediterraneo (swinging rhythm with folky guitar and the sound of a sitar) and Norwegian Wood (expressive female voice and Morish undertones). In the song Waiting For Kundalini I notice a 'hidden tribute' to Heart Of The Sun by Pink Floyd. Then the legendary Banco singer Francesco Di Giacomo (recently voted as the best singer in a Prog Archives poll) joins Indaco for 3 songs on stage. He immediately succeeds to evoke nostalgic feelings with his great, very distinctive voice with echoes from the Seventies Banco. To me this sounds as a very interesting DVD but you have to be up to a folky sound!

The musical content is superb, good selection of the catalogue of this supergroup. Rodolfo Maltese (R.I.P.) is a gentleman and apart from a good performer, not only on guitars but also on horn, he tells us the origin and trivia about several of the tracks. Several guests present good contributions to some tracks. Glad to see the contribution of Di Giacomo (R.I.P.), with some funny conversation, but sad at the same time because his tragic death 4 years ago. My main complaint is for the filming crew: 80% of the time they focus on the wrong musician; for example we have a guitar solo and the camera is focused on the percussionist doing virtually nothing! The most overlooked guy by the cameraman is bagpipe and flute player. I confess this was a frustrating experience. Perhaps because this BTF is offering this DVD for a truly cheap price at the moment! Anyway I do recommend this historic document. In general ****1/2 stars because the filming, a ****1/2 to ***** stars for performance.