INFINITY

This extremely confidential band from the early seventies released only one album (but this is a common affair in the Italian genre).

This album is almost all instrumental and therefore its relation with Italian symph is not really evident but for sure, the music you will discover is genuinely seventies oriented with lush keyboards (listen to these fine mellotron lines during ''Life'') and skilled guitar play: both electric as well as acoustic, like during the pastoral and sweet ''Man'' which shows some classical influences with the use of string instruments.

At times, this work almost sound as a soundtrack like during the mellow but moving.''Love''. Accordingly, ''War'' features some predictable gunfire sounds to illustrate the theme as well as sirens screams. Not very creative I should say.

''The Moon'' is the first track to feature some vocalize and fine melody but this is far to be an exceptional track. I think that the band opted rightly for little vocals.

The closing track is divided into two different sections: while the first one features a harder keyboards attack, which is welcome after so much mellow music, the second part is totally upbeat, almost a furious jam with some jazzy flavour. It ends in a bombastic keyboards anthology.

This album is not a hidden gem of the Italian genre like there are many, but it is a pleasant album. No waves, no hurt: just good music. As such, three stars.

This is an instrumental concept album that looks at the universe from beginning to infinity including life, man, love, war etc. There are vocal melodies but of course no lyrics. A very mellow album for the most part with lots of mellotron and organ. Not much is known about this band or even who it's members were for that matter.

"The Beginning" opens with thunder claps as the storm rolls in. Organ before a minute then vocal melodies join in. "Life" opens with the sound of rushing water as acoustic guitar and piano come in. Sounds like flute too. It changes after 2 1/2 minutes as percussion then piano take over. Vocal melodies join in. Mellotron,drums and guitar arrive 5 minutes in and this is the best part of the album for me. "Man-Part 1" is pastoral with acoustic guitar melodies and floating organ. "Man-Part 2" has the same melody but we get mellotron this time. A change before 1 1/2 minutes as piano and mellotron take over.

"Love" is melancholic with piano and mellotron. Acoustic guitar too. "War" opens with sirens then drums and gun fire follows before 1 1/2 minutes. Mellotron late then it ends as it began. "The Moon" has a dynamic intro with drums, organ and vocal melodies. Then silence. Some good electric guitar after 2 minutes with drums and organ but it's brief. "Infinity" opens with organ. Percussion 1 1/2 minutes in as organ continues. Some vocal melodies then we get guitar, bass and drums. Mellotron and thunder ends it.

An interesting album to say the least, just not one I enjoy a lot. Mellotron fans will certainly find lots to like here.

A five-piece early-70's mysterious group from Alessandria in the region of Piemonte,which released just one album before fading into obscurity.The vinyl issue did not refer the musicians' names and we would have to wait until 2010 to discover the band's line-up,which was Alfredo Ferrari on keys,Franco Sorrenti and Mirko Mazza on guitars,Piero Repetto on bass and Giampaolo Pesce on drums.''Infinity'' was originally released in 1971 on Victory,followed by a Vinyl Magic CD re-issue in 1990.

Not exactly a concept album,as ''Infinity'' contains only sporadic wordless vocals,this one features strongly linked music pieces,all related to life's journey.The music is soft and dreamy in an Orchestral Rock vein ,not far from the Classical-influenced pieces of IL PAESE DEI BALOCCHI,with a lust for changing moods from mellow Classical themes to sombre acoustic passages.Despite its smooth character,''Infinity'' is a well-executed and ethereal listening with fantastic work by Ferrari on organ but especially mellotron and piano with his themes having often a cinematic vibe.Two guitarists are listed in Planetarium,but the guitar work is mostly limited to melancholic acoustic trippy explorations,surrounded by Ferrari's orchestral arrangements, and the few electric parts are quite dreamy and interesting with a psychedelic edge.A few compositions contain sound effects,flutes and wind instruments,making the whole feeling even more cinematic.

Four out of the album's tracks were released on two 1971 singles by Victory,but unfortunately Planetarium did not proceed on further recordings and disbanded shortly after these releases.

''Infinity'' is a daring album,regarding the year of its release,not outdated at all, with its own approach on the word ''Grandiosity''.If you are a fan of Classical Music and trippy keyboard- driven prog,the album is very close to your tastes.Warmly recommended.