LE MANI

This Italian band was rooted in the early Seventies, halfway that era Le Mani recorded five studio tracks but unfortunately (as so often happened) the record companies ignored it and Le Mani disbanded without making a LP. Thanks to the support of Italian progrock label Vinyl Magic, the music by Le Mani can be heard on this mini-CD (running time at about 19 minutes).

1. Tarantella : A fluent song featuring fast organ runs and sparkling flute play. It sounds typical Seventies Italian but the music also reminds me of Hungarian progrock legend Solaris.

2. Il Palazzo : Again a fluent thryhm with organ and saxophone, halfway the music turns into more dreamy with the wonderful sound of the string-ensemble.

3. Canto : This track delivers a cheerful atmosphere with acoustic guitar, pleasant Italian vocals and fine flute work, this is the typical Italian Seventies progrock sound!

4. Mani : A solo piece on the Grand piano, it sounds beautiful.

5. La Casa Del Vento : The final song contains warm vocals and sensitive piano play, a pleasant goodbey to Le Mani.

What a pity that Le Mani only made five studio tracks with a running time of 19 minutes, they deserved an entire studio album!

This is a very rare Italian title for which I was unable to uncover much in the way of history. I can only share what is available from the CD booklet.

Le Mani were from Milan and performed mostly covers until 1973 when they began to hit the festival circuit. Their style was supposed to be a mix of ELP and the Italian classical tradition. Songwriter Claudio Fucci joined the group and they began to make an album together but it was never released back then due to record company problems (shocking, I know.) These 5 songs are all that survived and they have been reissued on limited edition remastered CDs. There are both Italian and Japanese versions and I believe both were very limited runs. Move fast if you want to hear this.

The music is good to be sure but this is far from the "A-list" of classic Italian in my opinion. "Tarantella" features organ and flute trading off enthusiastic runs but the rhythm playing is somewhat modest. "Il palazzo" is the longest track at 6 minutes and trades the flute for some saxophone. The speed slows when the vocals begin. Fucci's vocals are pretty good and sound nice against the saxophone. The Hammond is used extensively here as well with swirling runs quite high in the mix and the flute returns at the end. "Canto" is next and this one reminds me of Fucci's solo album with its acoustic guitar and vocal harmonies. Flute and organ again run the show. I have to say that the production is not very sharp here, there is a certain muffled sound to this album that is noticeable but not bad enough to wreck things. "Mani" is the shortest track at only a minute and a half but it's a highlight. It's just a beautiful solo piano interlude but I love it. "La casa del vento" closes the disc and is clearly the most realized song featuring a great vocal with perfect flute and atmosphere, and a nicely strummed acoustic guitar. This one sounds more like PFM than ELP and that's a good thing for this group. The melody here is really nice.

This CD is but 18 minutes long and so is recommended primarily to 70s Italian fans. But it is one of those rarities worth hearing. The last two tracks especially show the potential Le Mani had if they could have done more. Those two songs bump the disc from 2 to 3 stars.

"Le Mani seemed to be like a big dream that vanishes from our memories in the morning.only a memory is left, a taste, but we do not remember anything. Memory has betrayed us..Mine and Dario's heart trembled while listening to these old tracks and then we sat down again in order to write and sing again.." [Claudio Fucci, 2006]

Undiscovered Italian Classic Symph gem,led by the charismatic figure of Claudio Fucci.Fucci had already released a pastoral solo Folk-Prog album a couple of years before joining LE MANI,where he collaborated with keyboardist Dario Piana,the man who had created the beautiful cover of Fucci's personal release.The band was to be recording for Trident Label,however this label soon went broken and the band's work remained unfinished and forgotten until 2006,when their five complete songs were released on a self-titled mini-CD album by Vinyl Magic.

Opener ''Tarantella'' is absolutely fascinating with great organ sounds of Classical inspiration in the vein of LE ORME,while you should add some lovely flutes creating CAMEL/PFM-like melodies.The follower ''Il Palazzo'' is even nicer.A complex organ/sax/bass introduction gives space to the romantic sax lines of Roberto Bianconi,the light keys of Piana and the thrilling voice of Fucci.Great songwriting with a emotional feeling.Towards the end a fine Classicaly- inspired short instrumental section with warm flutes and organ all around makes the track even more intricate and challenging.''Canto'' is another great track in the line,this one features acoustic guitars and sweet multi-vocal parts blended with some pleasant strong rhythmic organ and driving flutes to remind of BLOCCO MENTALE's masterpiece.After the eponymous short piano solo of Piana based on atmosphere,LE MANI's album follows the tradition of many Italian Classic Prog acts (see LE ORME,BLOCCO MENTALE etc.),closing the album with a magnificent ballad led by piano,flutes and the awesome vocal lines of Fucci.

This is 70's Italian prog at its very best.Only negative points are the lack of a strong personality and the limited length of the album,leaving you wanting for more...but the music in here is full of surprises!Skip these slight disadvantages and purchase if you ever run on this album.