LONTANO NEL TEMPO (SE POSSIBILE)

Well this is another surprise, that is a recent issue from an Italian band living in Turin (North West Italy), in the vein of bands such as AUFKLARUNG or DEUS EX MACHINA, which performed at " Vigevano Prog Fest" (along with AFTER CRYING and CAST on 1999) a kind of symphonic progressive with elements of Jazz ( AREA-like)... a good interpretation of such retro-style, with a few derivative moments and discontinuous parts as well. Recommended!!

Now that's what I call classic progressive rock from the 70s...except it's from 1999 ! The music sounds fresh and very dynamic and creative. I can hear some influences on the Jethro Tull side but this is more in the Italian progressive school. I think that what I like about the music are the keyboards which blend perfectly with the rest. What a nice discovery !

Vintage RPI album from late 90-s. In fact, it sounds as successful demo from early 70-s. Even if symphonic component is important, there are enough jazz-rock element in album's music to make it alive and not too chamber.

To be honest, music isn't complex, and mix is really raw ( biggest problem is with vocals). Songs sound as great raw material for possible compositions. But album, with all this negative moments, is melodic, brightly symphonic, warm and well-rounded ( even if speaking about demo-quality)

Possibly, not a recording for regular listener, but RPI collectors could really find some their moments there on this album.

One-shot Italian obscurity Sacka hailed from Torino and performed in Italian ground since 1996.Their only private release ''Lontano nel Tempo'' came out in 1999, distributed by Kaliphonia Records and recorded with 70's techniques in just a couple of days.The members used pseudonyms such as Steo (guitar), Alby (vocals), Coje (bass), Koppy (drums) and Ale (keyboards).

The album is split in 17 pieces ranging from just a few seconds to 8 minutes long.The short tracks either function as introduction pieces or feature narrations of little interest to those not familiar with the Italian language.The longer ones (over 5 minutes long, just 7 in number) are good examples of Italian Symphonic Rock surrounded by an energetic and almost jazzy at times rhythm section.Influenced by Classic 70's acts such BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO, PFM and AREA, the band delivers a very vintage-sounding style with a nice exchange between dynamic and smoother offerings.Lovely, melodic flutes, calm piano interludes and expressive vocals form the more retro face of the band, producing nice and melodic Symphonic Rock.But there is also plenty of instrumental breakouts in here with powerful guitars, deep bass and strong keyboard solos, with the interplays being numerous and complicated almost in a Prog Fusion style, absolutely professional and fascinating stuff.What is not professional is definitely the rather poor recording quality, which prevents the album from being a highly recommended release.

The biggest moment for the band came in 2000 with Sacka opening along with Cast for Steve Hackett's concert at Vigevano Prog Rock Festival.This was unfortunately one of the last experiences for Sacka, who later changed their name to Gaetano Spiava, playing in a more Jazz-Rock style after some line-up changes.

''Lontano nel Tempo'' is another fine example of an Italian band trying succesfully to recapture the atmosphere of 70's Italian Prog.And despite not being the easiest CD to be found in the market, it deserves certainly some hunting.Recommended.