RIVER OF LIFE: THE MANTICORE YEARS ANTHOLOGY 1973-1977

Such an interesting reissue of some ever-green classic tunes by P.F.M, this time (fortunately) remastered, cause a typical defect of their old albums was represented by a group of weak recordings...if I think of their old tapes or vynils I'm not so enthusiastic about it and-moreover-I've always been quite disappointed talking about their old records. But this time the job of the sound engineer is good, often being able to clean the dirty traces of the original vynils and making them more brilliant (except on a few circumstances only, which could make you change idea and erase an half star from the evaluation at least). This 2cd anthology is focused on four studio albums and a live record between 1973 and 1977, without regarding of four previously unreleased recordings from their "hot" stage- during the MANTICORE years- indicating a true testament concerning their best music season!! Instead I'm not so glad about a rare B-side of a UK session (becoming a UK single), which has not been improved in comparison to the old tape; nevertheless an immortal track like "Alta Loma 5 to 9" (already being unforgettable inside their live USA) and of course the classic numbers from Chocolate Kings as well, make this anthology quite essential!! Besides their performance regarding the Electric piano, the violin and the flute (for instance do you remember the classic piano within "Dove Quando"? Well this time it's a live version, with a good execution to be remembered..), without forgetting the typical tone by B. Lanzetti too, not often remarked in the present anthology as a singer, are the best features here!! At the end, if you consider the support of an excellent musician like Mauro Pagani (always involved in the music plot), for sure you'll choose the present anthology!!

I'm reviewing this as someone with only a passing interest.PFM are probably just too 'jazzy' for my taste although without doubt they are great musicians.There are some beautifull moments here including some tasty live performances.The first disc is perhaps the best even if it is supposedly the inferior re-recorded English versions.Can't really fault it although on a creative level if this is their best then I can understand why they never became as popular outside their own country as in.It all dissappears at times in a haze of wonderous noodling.Easy to see why they were so highly rated as a live band.Overall solid 4 stars but I'm not encouraged to explore any further.