MAXOPHONE

Well, my knowledge of Italian prog was only limited to PFM. When my friend, Gandhi, introduced me with MAXOPHONE, the name itself did not ring any bell to me. The CD package in a cardboard design is excellent and it triggered me to open the case and played the CD. Wow! What a wonderful music, I think, when I listened to it the first time. I'm fortunate as I have the Italian lyric. I like native language lyrics even though I don't understand the meaning. Never mind, progressive music is universal! The music is a blend of 70s prog rock and jazz.

"C'e'un Paese Al Mondo" is oponed by a classical piano touch followed by uplifting music when all instruments come into play. It sounds like early GENESIS music. This track has a touchy melody when the vocal takes place followed by a jazz fusion composition when flute takes the lead.

"Fase" is an instrumental piece that has strong and powerful melodies. The guitar led intro followed by tenor saxes, dazzling bass guitar, flute (?) and vibraphone are really wonderful! The vibraphone solo with thin keyboard sound at the back is excellent arrangement! These guys are really creative. The music is complex yet enjoyable.

"Al Mancato Comleanno Di Unafarfalla" intro reminds me to the intro of PFM's "River of Life". The acapella piece that goes after intro is cool. It's not a pure acapella as it has flute sound at background. Oh my God .. this track has a very touchy melody sung in Italian lyrics! This is the strong point of this track. The lead guitar and organ composition during the track is stunning. I admire this band.

"Mercanti Di Pazzie" is relatively slow track with beautiful organ melody at background. "Elzeviro" is another interesting track opened with great voice.

"Cono Di Gelato" has more jazz touch than rock. It has great orchestration, brass section and very nice guitar fills. This is a wonderful slow track.

In "Antiche Conclusioni Nerge" there is a great solo sax at the interlude combined with lead guitar and it ends up with a church organ sound. Wonderful piece! The way singer sings is also excellent.

I know for most people that this band is not well known. Or, probably, it only me that who don't know this great band? One thing for sure, this album is a masterpiece. It has a strong structure in its music composition, great musicianship and I think beautiful blend of multi instruments used in its music. So sad that this band has only produced one album in two lyric version (Italian and English). I recommend you to have the Italian, even though I never heard the English version itself. I think Italian language is suitable for progressive music as it sounds wonderfully with the music.

Another thing I want to comment about the band: all music instruments were used in balanced proportion; no single instrument dominates the "lead" melody. Lucky that I don't know the band, so I'm not aware who is the leader (that usually demonstrates its instrument more than the other members). But all of them contribute excellently. This band should reunite and create another great music! - Gatot Widayanto, Indonesia.