SISTEMA

Finally, an Italian prog band that really stretches the boundaries beyond the usual territories, I got hooked thanks to progstreaming' efforts and the reptilian bass that simply devastated my first audition. So being a bass fetishist, I just had to pursue this one unfailingly and promptly add it to the Archives upon arrival. Ego from Varese is a conventional instrumental trio of keys, bass and drums that yet does not sound at all like ELP or Triumvirat, this third album really knocked me for a loop, an RPI act that infuses some cool 80s New Wave influences, icy modern keyboards that will rekindle memories of classic Ultravox, robotic drumming and that devastating bass onslaught that flooded my heart with love. The melodies proposed are stupendous and highly addictive, a swirling buffet of memorable moments, with symphonic, pastoral, electronic and classical overtones.

Keyboardist Pier Caramel combines some deft doses of Ultravox' Billie Currie, as well masters like Thomas Dolby, Yello, Moev and New Muzik, experimenting with old school organ and piano runs as well as defiant sequenced synthesizer orchestrations. As slobberingly stated earlier, bassist Mentasti revisits the powerful sound of Fabio Pignatelli of Goblin fame, arming his instrument with dizzying cannonades and explosive runs. Drummer Jannella keeps thing very tight, using both modern and classic rhythmic attitudes.

The meteoric 'Captura Idea' sets the bizarre tone right from the start, giving front stage to the mercurial bass guitar, a Midnight Express-like reworking of a Giorgio Moroder theme and an instant sense of sonic gratification. Boom-boom and wow! Glorious meandering piano caressed by massive swaths of synthesized grandeur, pulsating drive into blissful oblivion. One of the finest prog can openers ever!

Cinematographic exaltations are found on 'Latte Acido' , a piece that seems almost like a segue to the peppy overture, loaded with more tectonic bass rumblings, fueling a seething barrage of synthesizers , a groovy organ solo leading the charge in repeated intervals, a palpitating, breathtaking and adventurous ride.

A change of pace and style then appears from nowhere as 'Via del Cairo' sounds like a prog version of a Yello tune, (all that would be missing is the growling Dieter Meier vocal) incorporating vibraphone, percussives , flute , trombone and weird ambiances just for the fun of it. Imagine Simon Templar visiting the pyramids and saving some unfortunate victim from assassination at the hands of local nasties, while his white Volvo sucks in the Saharan winds. This deflected mood exudes a sense of adventure and creativity that stamps the prog credentials quite effortlessly in the project.

Even more unexpected is the utterly poignant lullaby 'Distrazione' , one of those romantic melodies you swear you had heard before, a Rick Wakeman-like piano etude that radiates the most precious impressions. A genius piece of music that will blow your mind, highly evocative and deliberately quixotic, showcasing once again the Italian mastery of all things passionate.

The moody 'Genio del Male' is a turbulent affair that will rekindle memories of New Wave movement, barely two minutes of sombre, irascible and opinionated sonic revolution, brass instruments pulling along the electronic arrangement with synthesizers blazing and hard drums.

The schizoid weirdness of the aptly titled 'Crota(lux) Atrox' , the Latin name for the deadly North American Diamondback rattlesnake, reveals a dreaded sense of doom that relates specifically to the lethal disposition of this great predator. Lots of rattling noises, gurgles and echoing pings adorn the arrangement. Giving heed to the following perilous warning 'any person who was bitten by this snake will remain with permanent scars, even if he had the quick antidote and his condition was stabilized', this is one gruesome slice of doom.

Ego then reverts to the initial Ultravox stylings that made the 2 first cuts so appealing. With sensational boldness, 'Elettronica-mente' sounds as if an outtake from Geoff Downes' splendid New Dance Orchestra album, complete with Warren Cann-like electro-drumming, straight out of the 'Vienna' album. The main melody is sublime, the mood highly electronic as if OMD had landed on the Italian shore and really alters the landscape of the usual RPI formulas. This also could easily have adorned a John Foxx or an Ultravox album. For the record, I cannot understand why the Talking Heads are on PA and Ultravox are not, but that is not my battle to wage.

'Petit Prince' is the epic 10 minute piece, a miraculous symphonic take on Antoine de St- Exupery's timeless novel and a classic must-read of French literature. The parameters presented here are much wider, verging on experimental classical music, with loads of trombone, tromba (Italian trumpet) and flute adhering to the piano and guesting electric guitar flashes. Like a soundtrack from some yet unreleased Italian short movie, this piece really flings the unsuspecting listener into distant horizons, sanctified delirium, orderly chaos and a true sense of foreboding.

The cool bonus track is 'In Viaggio', a rolling cinematographic musical essay that certainly evokes travel, exploration and discovery, featuring Caramel's swift synthesizer, collared by the roaming bass and the deft drum work. What a spectacular ride, an enjoyable contemporary take that will please the finicky fan.

Modern cover art, cool production and a fab sound style, this one conquered me faster than a Trojan horse, a unique addition to my, and any other prog fan, collection. A little short at 43 minutes prevents Sistema from obtaining a maximum score.

4.5 Lombard Characters