COLLAGE

This second album of Le Orme holds some more interesting parts than their debut one. But frankly, don't expect any grandeur, such as this great genre has produced and which features so many gems of progressive music.

Collage sounds definitely more progressive than their debut album. But this is far from being a masterpiece. Musicianship is of course not questionable. A track as Era Invernia is a wonderful example of such a characteristic. Drumming is particularly great.

But maestria is not equal to great album. I can't really be blown away with this release, even if there are some good songs featured. The complex and rocking Cemento Armato is probably the best that you will get out of this album. A great song, mostly instrumental, a bit pompous maybe but which holds such a great beat, so many different themes and such a wild determination . A highlight and my fave of this offering.

The song writing has indeed evolved towards a more progressive tone when compared to their first album. Sguardo Verso il Cielo is probably a good example of this evolution.

Of course, in these remote days, there were no other prog bands in Italy. Le Orme was a kind of precursory and therefore merits all the respects. Remember that PFM released their debut a year later.

The second highlight is the jazzy Evasione Totale. It shows the band at its height in terms of jamming capabilities and even if jazz is not my cup of tea, I have to admit that combined with some weird psychedelia, it has some great flavour.

My rating might be on the lower end, but still three stars is what I believe represents best this work. A good album. Some tracks announces better things to come (Immagini). It is not really essential in your prog collection but is worth a listen to apprehend the later work of Le Orme.