ESPLORARE

Solid comeback album, of sorts

Procession were one of those 2nd tier bands from the classic RPI period, not as well known these days as the PFMs and Ballettos, but who managed to release two well liked albums from 1972 and 1974. Their first was a blistering album of hard and heavy rock with dual guitars while the second was a bit more diverse and mature, together they make a nice pair. The band broke up in 1975 and emerged again three decades later with guitarist Roby Munciguerra from the old days and new mates Samuele Alletto, Stefano Carrara, Enzo Martin, Herman, and Danilo Pala. The new line-up entered Overtone Studio in Torino in the late summer of 2006 and delivered this gem.

"Esplorare" is a most unusual comeback album in that it is not new material. Instead, the band chose to re-record both of their 1970s albums pretty much in their entirety, juggle the order, and make something new of them. They also include one previously unreleased track written back then but recorded now, plus one newly written track. An unusual approach to say the least! Does it work? Yep. The material on those old Procession albums was pretty good stuff, and here with the new band it comes alive in a new way. It is harder edged with some young guys joining the fold and it features a flawless new production that allows you to hear everything and blow the roof off your house if you choose. This album is loud! The new arrangements as mentioned seem heavier and clearer as they were based on the reunited band's 2006 live performance versions. The new musicians are superb players as is the vocalist. (Original vocalist Gianfranco Gaza died in the 1980s). The material itself ranges from hard rock to jazzy prog with a guitar/bass dominated sound (as opposed to keyboards). Flute and saxophone parts come and go throughout and acoustic guitar gives many sections extra flavor. What one takes away from this disc is the love they have for the old material, mixed with a dynamic new energy and forcefulness that updates this material successfully. It must be very challenging to attempt to re-do your classic material decades later and bring something new to it without messing with the original magic. Procession have succeeded as well as I could imagine. This is an album that will blow away the fans of both of their original albums. If you like either of them, get this, it's a sure thing for you!

The booklet is brief, but contains some liner notes, photos, and lyrics for the title track (all in Italian.) Oh, and SinkaJohn, you'll want this, trust me. 3 1/2 affectionate stars.

Well I took Finnforest's advise and purchased this a couple of months ago. PROCESSION were a band I fell in love with, well I guess I should say the debut album in particular is what blew me away although the follow-up was good too.The vocalist Gianfranco Gaza was one of the few singers who could bring tears to my eyes simply with his voice. Sadly he passed away in the eighties so he's not on this particular release from 2006. In fact only the guitarist remains from those seventies albums.The new vocalist does Gianfranco proud though, i'm very impressed with him.The music here is pretty much all the songs from their two seventies releases plus a couple of more. Does it work ? Well as Jim said "Yep" it sure does. I do have some issues with it though, in particular the too smooth sounding sax and flute on the one track but overall I enjoyed this alot.

"C'era Una Volta" is laid back and something you'd hear in a smokey club back in the day. Piano leads early then the guitar cries out. Flute replaces the guitar before 2 minutes then it picks up with vocals. Some nice guitar comes and goes. It calms down then we get sax after 5 1/2 minutes. "Uomini Di Vento" opens with drums and guitar. Organ and flute join in then vocals.The flute comes and goes. The guitar 2 minutes in sounds great. "Un Mondo Sprecato" is my favourite and I raise a glass to Gianfranco who may not be singing but his inspiration can be felt from the new vocalist. Just a gorgeous intro here as reserved vocals, bass, drums and gentle guitar lead. Gulp. When the tempo picks up check out the bass ! It settles back as contrasts continue. "Esplorare" opens with bass and vocals. Great sound 1 1/2 minutes in as guitar and flute stand out.The bass continues to shine. Sax follows then the vocals replace the sax.

"Il Volo Della Paura" is mellow early with acoustic guitar and flute leading the way.Vocals a minute in. It kicks in after 1 1/2 minutes and the vocals become more passionate and I love the electric guitar that follows. Beautiful stuff. "Suite 1" is the other track that is amazing although this is like a medley with one song blending into the next. Lots of atmosphere early then the guitar comes in after 1 1/2 minutes and drums and bass follow. An explosive sound then wind can be heard. Cool. Gentle guitar then vocals follow.Vocals are passionate 3 1/2 minutes in then it kicks into gear. It turns heavier and more intense 6 minutes in then the tempo picks up. A calm after 9 minutes then it kicks back in as the tempo and mood continue to change. "Suite 2" turns heavy quickly and the drumming and synth work are outstanding. A change after 3 minutes as it settles and we get some vocal melodies too. Another change 6 1/2 minutes in as it turns aggressive with guitar,organ and drums. Passionate vocals a minute later. "Fiaba" features gentle guitar as flute joins in followed by drums and vocals. Some chunky bass too.

It is what it is (haha). An album that goes over the same old ground yet at the same time it "sounds" very good yet is still vintage. A low 4 stars and i'd suggest you check out the original albums first.

In 2006 Roby Munciguerra set up a new Procession incarnation for some live performances and from June to September 2006 the new line up featuring, along with Roby Munciguerra (guitar, backing vocals), also Samuele Alletto (vocals, flute), Stefano Carrara (keyboards, 12 string guitar, backing vocals), Enzo Martin (bass) and "Herman" a.k.a. Max Aimone (drums) plus the guest Danilo Pala (sax) recorded in the Overtone studio in Turin the new versions of the old pieces and a brand new one. Procession's new album, produced by Dario Todesco and Ernesto Ausilio and entitled "Esplorare", was released in 2007 on the independent Electromantic Music label with a nice art work that in some way depicts the intricacies of its musical content...

The opener "C'era una volta" (Once upon a time) starts by a beautiful new introduction with piano and electric guitar in the forefront. From the very first notes you can appreciate the clear sound and the care that the band put in the new arrangements revitalizing the old repertoire with respect and competence. The new vocalist is absolutely up to the task and breaths new life into the story of the child who wasted his time looking for the sense of life, getting old without reaching his goal...

To better underline its apocalyptic, tense atmosphere, the new version of "Uomini di vento" (Men of wind) gives more room to dark organ passages while the hieratic vocals depict the terrible wind that rules on the world and bends nature, guided by its blind will, sweeping away terrorized men and a blurred reality...

Then it's the turn of the melancholic "Un mondo sprecato" (A wasted world) where Samuele Alletto delivers in a very effective way the caustic reflections of the jaded clown protagonist of the piece, perfectly backed by a band able to add colours and emotions in the instrumental sections.

"Esplorare" (To explore) is the only new track on the album and it's a pity since the vitality of Procession's new course is great. It's a piece that deals with the illogical but nonetheless powerful belief that things will change for the better in a new place. The music and words describe a young man that looks for another world to explore, a place where his fantasies will come true. He wears his dreams and sets off but later realizes that is all in vain and begins to feel lonely and desperate while his certainties fade away. He will have to take a step back to find the meaning of life...

The new arrangement of "Il volo della paura" (The flight of fear) is excellent and succeeds in conveying the disquieting feelings that a flock of birds provoke darkening the sky and the need to overcome the gloomy omens that they could represent...

Next two tracks reshape brilliantly, with good taste and respect, Procession's first album, Frontiera, a conceptual work telling the story of a young man who leaves his home and family in Southern Italy searching for a job and a better life in a big city of the North. "Suite 1" includes "Ancora una notte" (One more night), "Uomini e illusioni" (Men and illusions), "Città grande" (Big city), "Incontro" (Meeting) and "Anche io sono un uomo" (I'm a man as well) while "Suite 2" includes "Un mondo di libertà" (A world of freedom), "Un ombra che vaga" (A wandering shadow) and "Solo 1" (Alone).

Then "Fiaba" (Fairy tale) ends the album by painting with new vivid colours the surreal landscape of an imaginary village perched on a mountain that hosts dreamers, poets and musicians. The inhabitants do not need money nor gold to be rich since happiness and peace are their real treasures...

On the whole, an excellent work that gives new life to the old repertoire of the band and leaves some hope for the future.