LA BALLATA DELL'ARDITO

Ianva is a different Art Music project,based in Genoa (Ianva is the ancient name of the town),drawing influences from Rock,Neofolk and Cabaret Music.The project features Malombra's singer and drummer Mercy and Francesco La Rosa along with Stefania T. D'Alterio (vocals),Argento (guitars),Fabio Gremo (classical guitar,contrabass),Fabio Fabbri (trumpet),Azoth (bass),Giuseppe Span' (piano,member of Prog Metal group Daedalus) and Riccardo Casazza (harmonica).Their debut short mini-CD ''La ballata dell'ardito'' was released on their own label,Antica Fonografia Il Levriero.

With an excellent retro front cover,this mini-album kicks off with the eponymous track,grounded somewhere between Theater Music and Opera with excellent male vocals,fantastic trumpet work by Fabbri,acoustic guitars and harmonica on the front with a beautiful harmony characterizing the track.The second cut,entitled ''Un sogno d'Elettra'' follows a darker vein,opening with piano and featuring nice female vocals along with some electric parts,supported by some awesome male vocals and accordion for the middle and ending part.The closing ''Amsterdam'' is actually a Jacques Brel's cover of the same song with female vocals this time and with Ianva trying to respect the track as much as possible,making it a bit more dynamic with a richer and more modern sound.An excellent try indeed.

I am really surprised by this project's first step.Really different music with a certain charm,which you can't help but adore.If the word ''Retro'' has a meaning,the music of Ianva should be the sound of it.Highly recommended.