DELUSIONE OTTICA

Jet Lag is a new Italian group that released this album, which supposedly was to be their only one. These guys play a kind of symphonic jazz prog. It is not exactly in the classic Italian tradition but it is influenced by the seventies scene. The bass and drums stand out more, as you would expect from a jazz-influenced group. The playing is rather busy and hectic all the time. This band is not holding back. The keyboards and the flute ad the symphonic part to their music but even these instruments are played fast and furious. Jet Lag has very high-class musicianship that should appeal to fans of this genre. There are vocals both in English and Italian. The only English sung track is almost completely accent free which I find rather unusual for an Italian band. Over half of the tracks are instrumentals.

The highlight track of the album is the 16-minute closer "Mare Nostrum", but it's also a little less on the jazz side. This is because there is alternating jazzy and symphonic parts in this track. All tracks are very good overall.

Conclusion: High quality symphonic jazz prog!

Treading the fine line between symphonic prog and mad fusion, Jet Lag's one and only album is a tremendous outing. Screaming flutes spar with angry guitars, while frantic drums mingle with crazy keyboards. Vocals appear on less than half the tracks, and are typically Italian sounding, though the lack of any detectable accent in "King Of Fools" helps widen the appeal of the album. Elsewhere the lyrics are Italian, bringing to mind a multitude of greats from the '70s.

'Delusione Ottica' is clearly in the mold of the country's '70s gods, but it doesn't try too hard to sound "ancient" while at the same time doesn't have the over-produced slickness of much modern prog. The recording is clear and sharp and warm. It's a perfect companion listen if you're busting out things like Utopia's very first album, any Kenso material, the wildest King Crimson stuff ('Red', I guess), the Finch albums, and some of the most energetic P.F.M. and Banco material. When someone asks for Italian prog recommendations, it's tempting to name any number of albums from the golden '70s era, but 'Delusione Ottica' is just as representative of this country's masterful understanding of prog. A real shame they didn't last longer, because the chemistry is tremendous, as are all the individual performances.

I wouldn't be surprised if these guys were influenced by OSANNA, they even use the flute as the lead instrument like OSANNA did on the "Palepoli" record. Five of the nine tracks are instrumentals.Vocals are sung in Italian except for one track (English).

"Il Camaleonte" is an energetic instrumental with prominant bass. "King Of Fools" is the only song with English vocals and he sounds so much like Roine Stolt ! This song contrasts the mellow sections with outbursts of instrumental work with vocals. Check out the guitar 2 1/2 minutes in ! They stop and start on a dime which i'm not really a fan of. "Illusione Prospettica" is another instrumental. It opens with piano before synths come in and some crazy sounds. Not a fan of this one. "Castelli Di Rabbia" opens with outbursts of sound contrasted with flute until we get a steady soundscape with prominant guitar, organ and bass. Italian vocals after 1 1/2 minutes as it settles. Good song.

"Delusione Ottica" is an energetic instrumental led by flute much of the time. "Audiopoker" is an interesting instrumental with those Pac Man-like sounds. Some angular guitar late. A nice change from the rest of the album. "Re Nudo" opens with guitar, bass and keys as drums pound. Great intro ! Lots of piano before vocals come in. Check out the bass ! "Elusione Ottica" features acoustic guitar melodies throughout. Nice. "Mare Nostrum" is different with those deep spacey sounds to open. Flute comes in and leads the way as drums and bass throb. Vocals follow. Some killer guitar follows.This might be the best track on here.

Overall a pretty good album.

From Reggio di Calabria hails this quintet, found in 1996.In October 1998 they recorded the self-produced demo ''Difference'', warmly received by the press.In January 99' original singer Andrea Cannizzaro quits and was replaced by flutist/singer Luca Salice, simultaneously Jet Lag turned into more jazy realms.In 2001 Salice along with Fabio Itri (guitar), Saverio Autellitano (keyboards), Bruno Crucitti (drums) and Marco Meduri (bass) recorded the band's debut ''Delusione ottica'', released on Lizard/Pick Up Records.

The music of Jet Lag was the definition of energetic Prog/Fusion, bringing into mind compatriots such as ACCORDO DEI CONTRARI, PERIFERIA DEL MONDO, D.F.A. or DEUS EX MACHINA.The tracks contains tons of interplays performed through solid performances, characterized by powerful grooves, shifting changes and sudden breaks.And while the production is modern and the style very fresh, Jet Lag's sound hides constantly a nostalgic vintage feeling, translated into deep organ waves and fiery flute solos.The arrangements are full of time signatures and complex structures, mainly instrumental, while the vocals are decent, though nothing really impressive.Among the highlights are Itri's powerful rhythm guitars, Salice's retro-sounding flutes and Autellitano diverse work on keyboards with nice organ, electric piano and synth workouts.

After the album the band was unfortunately put on ice and returned only in 2004 for a cover heading to King Crimson's tribute album ''The Letters: An Unconventional Italian Guide to King Crimson''.However ''Delusione ottica'' is a good reason to recall the band in your memory, as it contains complicated and highly energetic Progressive Rock.Only for fans of trully challenging listenings...3.5 stars.