ACQUARIO

I don't like very much the 80's prog scene, not even Marillion and his equals or even the 80's albuns from the "big ones" like Genesis, Yes or Camel, but I usually dig some records from my favourite bands, I mean, the italian or the eastern Europe scenes, and, because, fortunately we can frequently find excellent releases from unknown or less unknown groups. Well, this is not the case, I guess most of the prog fans have something from Arti + Mestieri. If you don't, you should, because they're really great. This album is not an exception. Very fluid music, in a jazzy way, awesome solos from all the band's members, great and speedy short instrumental compositions. Very nice and very interesting. Quite better than Quinto Stato. If you like fusion played masterfully, get this one.

Well first of all you should have to add another half star at least;secondly as this work represents their comeback also on stage (dated 1983) but with a different line-up (except on the original member-Mr Chirico), I think that A&M showed a diverse clever approach and a great versatility too, in the early nineties, which is very interesting. The re-printed version by Electromantic makes me feel so good, cause of its live recording without any "post-production", as well as of its pretty jazz mood, being never banal. Antonino Salerno is a remarkable composer, involved with a difficult role: He had to replace Mr Rovella, the keyboardist, and this "event" is regarded as a remarkable effort still today, if you listen to some music critics.anyway actually- at that time- He was even helped by U. Mari on bass guitar and other important session men, playing the wind instruments in a noteworthy manner, which made his job easier.but as it's a bit lacking the reference to their past, above all talking about their recent music project, you can remain unprepared at the end: you're in front of a completely restructured ensemble; otherwise you could appreciate the piano solo (K. Emerson-oriented) in "Stagno e debiti", even though sometimes the instrumental section, being without any vocal parts , creates a "tiring" mood, especially for their new listeners.

However, apart from a few "scholastic" executions, by completing your collection concerning A&M, this work is worth checking out and quite pleasant too!!