SYNKRETIKO

Claudio Fucci was born circa 1952 in the town of Carosino near Taranto, later living in Milan. He started writings songs in the late 1960s, and by the '70s he was collaborating with the likes of Come Le Foglie and Banco. After the release of his own 1974 self-titled work produced by Eugenio Finardi, he would work with keyboardist Dario Piana again on the Le Mani project. But aside from a soundtrack project, it would be over 30 years before Fucci followed up his 1974 debut. The resulting Synkretiko is a country mile from anything resembling 21st century progressive rock, but it is a surprisingly warm and engaging return for Fucci nonetheless. This is not a progressive rock album even to the extent of his earlier work, but it is a good pop/rock album with a heavy dose of that wonderful Italian touch. It's very well decorated with two dozen great musicians including his old buddies, Eugenio Finardi and Dario Piana.

Synkretiko is an album for people who already know they like stuff like Battisti, Stephano Testa, Mario Barbaja, Gigi Pascal, or Gianni D'errico. The songs run the typical pop song template and length, but they are catchy, fun, and colorful. "Graffiti Italiani" is a festive opener with a bouncy folk feel adorned with fiddle. "Il Silenzio E Il Tuono" is another with a folky-country rock vibe that sounds great with Fucci's gregarious voice. "Sebastiano" is more bluesy with raucous electric guitar and organ that reminded me of Faces "Stay with Me." "Come Un Poeta" veers into a light and melodic jazz groove. And "Via C. Baroni" is a grand, romantic-sounding ballad. As you can see, the album's style is free and engaging, but the quality is very high. These songs will stick in your ears for days after. For such a late entry in the game, Fucci succeeds here. If this is to be his nightcap, it is sweet on the lips indeed. La musica della vita!