AREA '70

Area was an Italian progressive rock band formed in the end of 1972. They are known for be one of the most important prog bands in the genre. They have been compared to Gentle Giant for the extreme complexity of their music combined with an elegant use of varied polyrhythms. They also had a very strong attitude in managing the Middle East musical structures and other elements, from odd rhythms to the use of tone fourths. All of these elements are always joined together by a free-jazz style. To each they add many electronic elements. Area became with Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso, Premiata Forneria Marconi and Le Orme as the four best and most important Italian progressive rock bands of all times.

"Area '70" is a compilation of Area which was released in 1980. It features tracks from four of the five studio albums of Area, plus a non-album's track, when Demetrio Stratos was still on board. It has one track from "Arbeit Macht Frei" of 1973, one track from "Caution Radiation Area" of 1974, three tracks from "Crac!" of 1975, two tracks from "Maledetti" of 1976, plus a non-albums track. However, it hasn't any tracks from "1978 ? Gli Dei Se Ne Vanno, Gli Arrabbiati Restano!".

"Area '70" has eight tracks. The first track "Luglio, Agosto, Settembre (Nero)" was originally released on their debut studio album "Arbeit Macht Frei". It's a track with its lyrics about the Black September of 1972 when the Palestinians committed terrorist attacks. The track begins with an Arab feminine voice reciting a poem. Musically, it's a very difficult song to be described. We really must hear it to can understand it. It seems to be built around the ethnic and traditional music, probably from Greece. This track represents one their finest moments. The second track "Cometa Rossa" was originally released on their second studio album "Caution Radiation Area". It's a typical track of Area, which seems to be built around the ethnic and traditional music too. In this case, we are in presence of some influences of the Arabic music. It's very close to some of the tracks presented on "Arbeit Macht Frei". It represents a perfect introduction to the band that shows their unmistakable and original type of music and the unique vocal style of Demetrio Stratos. The third track "Gioia E Rivoluzione" was originally released on their third studio album "Crac!". It's a track where the powerful voice of Demetrio Stratos stands out. It's an acoustic and very peaceful track. It has a very unusual introduction that features some acoustic guitars and powerful melodic lines. This is a track of the band that shows a tendency towards a more conventional tunes and a less intricate and complicated sound, in contrast with the more experimental forms of many of their tracks. It became as one of the best Area's tracks. The fourth track "L'Elefante Bianco" was originally released on their third studio album "Crac!" too. It's a track with some ethnic sounds and is essentially an instrumental track with many variations all over the same theme. This is a track full of energy with some Eastern influences and some nuances of the southern Mediterranean music. The fifth track "L'Internazionale" is a track that was never released on any of the studio album of the band. It was originally released as the A side of their single "L'Internazionale" in 1974. The track was usually played in almost all their live shows and was usually included on their compilation albums too. It's a vanguard associative of a free experimental version of the communist hymn, "The International". The sixth track "La Mela Di Odessa" was originally released on their third studio album "Crac!". It starts with an instrumental part and follows with great musicianship by the entire band, with Demetrio Stratos' vocals following the music and giving to it a very nice feeling. This is a complex track that begins with some experimental sounds and a drum solo. It's a typical jazz rock fusion track with symphonic tendencies. The seventh track "Gerontocrazia" was originally released on their fourth studio album "Maledetti". It starts with a cradle song in ancient Greek. During the song we can hear play txalaparta, a Basque percussion instrument, that I never heard before on the previous albums of Area. That demonstrates again the interest of the band in the ethnical music. The eighth track "Scum" is from "Maledetti". It's a track where the music takes a free jazz/fusion direction and when the piano of Fariselli takes the front and sounds in a strange tonal style. It has some electronic effects and Demetrio does some speech about the women rights. This is a very oriented jazz piece.

Conclusion: "Area '70" is another good compilation album of Area. It has tracks from four of their five essential studio albums, only missing tracks from "1978 Gli Dei Se Ne Vanno, Gli Arrabbiati Restano". Thus, we have here what are in general considered the four best studio albums of Area. Still, and unfortunately, it's a pity that none of the tracks of "1978 - Gli Dei Se Ne Vanno, Gli Arrabbiati Restano!" weren't chosen, because this is another amazing album too. As I mentioned above, these are all albums with the participation of their charismatic front man and lieder Demetrio Stratos, who unfortunately passed away in 1979. The compilation covers the different sides of Area, their most popular and melodic side and their most avant-garde and experimental side, when the band was at their most creative peak. So, "Area '70" is well representative of the band and a great showcase of Area. I think it must be rated with 3 stars, indeed.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)