WINGS OF LOVE

• Night Games Vimana, 1976
• Inner Star Wings of Love , 1977

I am desperate for the CD version of this stunningly unknown, underappreciated jewel. My vinyl copy is almost fossilized by now, so I continue the vigil. With the formidable Percy Jones and the incredible Michael Walden replaced on bass and drums by total unknowns, who would expect Wings of Love to parallel the brilliance of "Vimana" ? The core remains : the Santanesque Corrado Rustici, Elio D'Anna's suave sax and woodwinds and Renato Rosset's liberal use of Fender Rhodes among other keys. This is less Brand X , a lot funkier at times and dreamier at others with breathlessly beautiful vocals. "You are Light" is a superb opener which just stays solidly on track providing a series of memorable tunes , with tons of oboe, flute and sax , crossing swords with Rustici's incredible fretwork. There is a slight Mahavishnu/Santana vibe here , this record would partner well with Borboletta/ Welcome/Caravanserai or Visions of Emerald Beyond/ Birds of Fire. Extremely original recording , very dissimilar from the previous "Vimana" or the following and disappointing "Sun City" . A unique prog gem that deserves more attention and errr ...a CD edition, please. Is there anyone out there who agrees with me ? 5 novas

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Posted Tuesday, September 19, 2006 | Review this album | Report (Review #90567)

I have to offer a dissenting opinion of this Nova disc. For me, it's just pure cheese-whiz fusion-lite dripping with dippy Sri-Chinmoy nonsense.

It's not that Nova aren't good musicians (they are VERY capable and competent players), but it's the material that just doesn't cut it. Like other reviewers have mentioned, it does have a kind of Santana-esque vibe with some faintly Mahavishnu-esque ornamentations, but nothing that really jumps out and grabs you by the throat. If anything, this leans far more towards pop with 9th chords than it does fusion, and I would dare say to even call it prog is a bit of a stretch, as it simply rehashes already war-worn cliches and doesn't dare to venture out of a comfortable little box. The instrumental "Marshall Dillon" is the only thing that even threatens to get interesting. Sorry folks, I just can;t get behind this rather bland affair.

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Posted Monday, November 20, 2006 | Review this album | Report (Review #99725)

This is indeed a jewel.I got it when it came out,but lost it around 1983.Then about 4 or 5 years ago I came across it,at a decent price as a Japanese print CD.(So there Tszirmay,it was out on CD and happy hunting).I was very pleased when it arrived at my door. The music is indeed some Mahavis ... (read more)

Report this review (#439465) | Posted by gr8dane | Tuesday, April 26, 2011 | Review Permanlink

Yes, it's cheese-fusion, clearly ripped-off from Mahavishnu Orchestra 2 and especially 3, with a little Zappa and Return To Forever influence thrown in. MO's Inner Worlds came out in '76, Nova's WOL in '77. And what is the most popular Mahavishnu song ever? Planetary Citizen - pop-funk-fusion at ... (read more)

Report this review (#172094) | Posted by guitarded | Saturday, May 24, 2008 | Review Permanlink

Wings of Love What a wonderful record, i can listen to it over and over and never get bored. I have a copy from the original LP...wish there was a reissue... This is an album filled with magic, wonderfully concieved and executed. Beatifully sang, extremly funky... i always feel like dancing ... (read more)

Report this review (#160676) | Posted by progLee | Sunday, February 3, 2008 | Review Permanlink

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