REALE ACCADEMIA DI MUSICA

Often listed among the greatest bands of Italian progressive rock,this quintet emerged from the ashes of the excellent beat group ''I Folkhs''.This rome-based band played in numerous famous festivals to split in early 70's,having released only a single,while drummer Ruggero Stefani quit (to join ''L'uovo di Colombo''),later followed by guitarist Pericle Sponxilli.The two were replaced by Roberto Senzasono and Nicola Agrimi to create the first and last REALE ACCADEMIA DI MUSICA line-up.The band recorded a self-titled LP,which were released by Ricordi Label.

''Reale acceademia di musica'' is a good release in soft symphonic prog style,much centered around the piano and keyboards of Federico Troiani.Reminding a lot of the mellow parts of BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO and even the smoother parts of E.L.P.'s debut,the six compositions contain a lot of sung parts with calm vocals surrounded by the relaxed keyboard sounds and the changing guitar parts,ranging from pastoral acoustic passages to driving electric lines.The piano and the organ parts are very good,creating a classical atmosphere close to a less grandiose KEITH EMERSON's style and there are also some decent mellotron strings around to add an extra dark atmosphere.The overall result is close to other Italian prog acts like CELESTE,ERRATA CORRIGE or IL VOLO and anyone after this style of prog will have a great time with this one.I wouldn't call it a classic by any means,but it's nevertheless a good example of early-70's Italian symph prog.Recommended!