IV - BEATEN PATHS DIFFERENT WAYS

After three very strong albums culminating with the masterpiece Exegi Monumentum Aere Perennius in 2017, Vincenzo Ricca returns here with yet another release under the name of The Rome Pro(g)ject. This time, however, we are not talking about a full album of new material, but mainly re-interpretations of compositions already having appeared on the previous three albums. The aptly titled Beaten Paths Different Ways contains only three brand new pieces with the rest being alternative versions of older material. The most notable aspect of the proceedings is the presence of vocals for the first time on a Rome Pro(g)ject album. Out of the three new numbers featured on this record, one is a vocal track while the other two are instrumentals. Steve Hackett appears on the instrumentals All Roads Lead to Rome and Vertical Illusion, especially the first of these will not disappoint anyone who liked Hackett's contributions to the previous Rome Pro(g)ject albums. Bernardo Lanzetti of PFM provides lead vocals on Beaten Paths.

Of the recycled material, a few have vocals added. On most of these it is Ricca himself singing. The vocals are not bad as such, but personally I prefer the instrumental nature of the past albums. It is interesting to hear these compositions in a new light, but it is clear that The Rome Pro(g)ject functions best as an instrumental act. I do hope that we will see more new instrumental music from Vincenzo Ricca's pro(g)ject in the future, I would be the first to get it.

Beaten Paths Different Ways is recommended mainly to those who already know and love the music of The Rome Pro(g)ject. As such, two stars would perhaps have been more appropriate, but the quality of the music is so high that I am prepared to give three stars here. I would recommend starting your journey into world of The Rome Pro(g)ject with the brilliant Exegi Monumentum Aere Perennius, and then going backwards from there to Of Fate and Glory, and then to the first album, both of which are also excellent, and only after that (if you will still want more), should you acquire Beaten Paths Different Ways with the understanding that it is basically an EP rather than a completely new album.