PRIMETIME

ASSOLO DI BONGO had to wait eleven years since their formation to release finally their debut.Behind the band were three friends from Udine, Enrico De Stalis (guitars), Marco Cucchiaro (drums) and Erico Rainis (bass).All of them were quite inexperienced musicians,but the band matured musically through the addition of David Accaino on keyboards.While they were performing in local clubs,they had to quit the project due to military obligatons,to return later with new member Elvis Fior behind the drum kit.This quartet recorded their debut ''Primetime'' in 2001.

A nice debut,''Primetime'' lies somewhere between dynamic instrumental rock in the vein of JORDAN RUDESS, BOZZIO LEVIN & STEVENS or DEREK SHERINIAN and Heavy Fusion-Prog with obvious LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT and DEUS EX MACHINA influences.Strong doses of complexity is what characterizes the band,with weird guitar solos covering the heavy keyboard work and obscure synths battling with a tight rhythm section.Keyboardist David Accaino pays a tribute to DREAM THEATER, delivering intricate keyboard passages in the vein of JORDAN RUDESS and DEREK SHERINIAN,while Enrico De Stalis' playing alternates between melody,powerful riffs and furious grooves...and these two are certainly the main men behind the band,as you won't find Erico Rainis or Elvis Fior being on the front for a single minute,despite their evident technical sufficiency.

While ASSOLO DO BONGO won't ever win a prize for creating original music,their debut should easily appeal to fans of adventuruous Heavy Prog with Jazz-Fusion touches.The album is quite good with some carefully composed and arranged music,but deserves a decent number of spins to be fully appreciated and comes recommended by my side to fans of the aforementioned bands (including me).

Recently I found the two albums of this italian band and immediatly I was captured by their heavy jazz fusion sound.

First AdB effort is an interesting collection of instrumental songs which reminds some of the most talented and great jazz-rock and even prog metal technical musicians. In fact, is a very technical album which passes through different moods and rhythmical adventures but always with an unique style totally recognizable. Perhaps is not a master piece of the genre, songs are really good, catchy and maybe too much heavy for the "classical" jazz-rock fans.

There are some highlights and totally recommended song for any prog lover, such as "Buc", "Vega" and "E Già Colazione", perfect examples of great technicism, epical guitar and keyboard solos and for some moments, heavy prog metal mixed with jazzy sections. Very enjoyable but not essential. 3+*...

The landscape of Italian progressive music at the turn of the century divides neatly into two camps: those who faithfully recreate the classic seventies sound and those who boldly chart new territories in the genre's evolution. ASSOLO DI BONGO (AdiB) firmly plants itself in the latter group, as exemplified by their latest release, "Primetime."

From the outset, "Primetime" captivates with its fresh take on symphonic prog, weaving together melodic richness with daring experimentation. Each track is a journey in itself, traversing realms of jazz and fusion while remaining grounded in the roots of progressive rock.

"Usa e jazz" kicks off with a burst of eclectic creativity, melding jazz influences with the energy reminiscent of bands like DREAM THEATER, notably in Enrico De STALIS' guitar work, accompanied by a rhythm section that operates with impeccable precision. "Buc" delves into more atmospheric territory, driven by Erico RAINIS' hypnotic bass lines reminiscent of the great maestro SQUIRE.

"Sembra patè" emerges as a powerhouse composition, blending intricate guitar work with jazz fusion elements akin to the BOZZIO/LEVIN/STEVENS trio. The epic "Vega" showcases the band's versatility, oscillating between symphonic metal and hard rock. It allows each member to shine in technical prowess, particularly De STALIS' riffs and ACCAINO's keyboard wizardry.

"E' già colazione" unfolds enigmatically, gradually building to a climactic progressive crescendo with its melodic intricacies. "Lobotomia" and "Iodred" stand out as highlights, the former delivering aggressive surprises reminiscent of FINISTERRE, while the latter offers intense and varied passages that showcase the band's musical depth.

The album culminates with the grand finale of "Satanica," a dense and impetuous piece that showcases the quartet's technical brilliance.

"Primetime" is a testament to AdiB's musical prowess and will undoubtedly find a welcome home in the collections of prog and jazz-rock enthusiasts alike. Here's hoping that this project continues to evolve beyond its already impressive two-album discography.