DOLCE ACQUA

Another entry into the category of albums overshadowed by their own artwork - there are plenty of those - this 1971 effort from the Italian outfit Delirium is one of those frustrating albums that features plenty of pretty moments yet just doesn't ever really get going. Italian albums, especially middling one's like 'Dolce Aqua', are always going to have it difficult simply by dint of being from Italy. Up against some formidable local opposition, the Italian prog scene of the 1970's was amongst the most diverse, featuring some of the genre's true greats in the shape of such luminaries as Le Orme, PFM, Maxophone and Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso and their subsequent albums which have proved amongst their most popular created, if not commercially speaking then certainly critically. Taken in context 'Dolce Aqua' seems pretty average; taken out of context, it's actually a pretty decent album, featuring a flute-laced sound, classical textures and some attractive harmonies. However, the pace is slow, bordering on the soporific, certain tracks seem to wander aimlessly, as if the musicians are unsure of what to do next, and the album on the whole seemingly owes a great deal of debt to both Jethro Tull and Van Der Graaf Generator, only lacking the fiery invention of the latter and the inventive genre- blending of the former. Opener 'Preludio' does exude a certain playfulness, and the group sport a refined jazz touch on the piano-led 'To Satchmo', yet there's nothing here that hasn't been done before, and done slightly better. All told then this is a pretty decent affair, yet when compared to the competition the word ordinary quickly springs to mind. Great front cover though. STEFAN TURNER, STOKE NEWINGTON, 2012