MONTEFELTRO

The 90's were hard on RPI so I would easily put this in the top 20 of that decade with NUOVA ERA's "Il Passo Del Soldato" standing alone at the top. This is a four piece with the guitarist also being the singer. The side long opener "Canto No.1" is just under 23 minutes and without question the highlight. There are orchestral bits on this record along with strings so I don't know if they are sampled. Another uncredited instrument that I hear is the harpsichord. Like others have mentioned I hear a Neo-Prog vibe at times but this is more Symphonic.

A keyboard album no doubt and in a style that most of us love, but there's too many issues for me to go 4 stars here.

1. "Canto No. 1 (lettera ad un amico del 1400)" (22:12) so much (too much?) like the BABYLON sound palette and recording engineering reinterpretation (recapitulation?) of Peter Gabriel-era GENESIS (mostly Foxtrot). It's done extremely well--with great instrumental and compositional quality; it's just so frickin' close to the original! The only instruments that shine through as being different are the ancient pre-piano sounding keyboards (clavichord? psaltry? celeste? Celtic harp?) and fretless bass as well as a couple of the effects used on the guitars. The ethereal vocals (heavily reverbed to sound as if they're coming from inside the cavernous marble walls of a large cathedral-- like EMERALD DAWN does for Tree Stewart's voice). A lot of this song reminds me of the sound and style of Spanish band GALADRIEL's Muttered Promises from an Ageless Pond from 1988 as well as those of Canadian band HECENIA's 1989 album, Légendes. Despite its clone-like feel, this is an excellent and beautiful symphonic suite, beautifully--one might say "lovingly"--composed. (41/45): I) musicis instrumentis sonans humanos affectus II) Siarade serale III) La corsa contro il tempo IV) Pioggia di stelle V) La tua immagine VI) Il walzer dei ricordi (per anatre e vecchi balocchi) VII) Sciarada notturna (al lume di candela col temporale oltre la finistra) VIII) Prendi la foglia IX) Il duello X) In quel sole interiore, la nave a l'artificio 2. "Il prescetto" (6:28) Wow! So BABYLON--right out of the starting blocks! The quick and frequent changes in time signatures over the opening minute are a bit much. The theatric Italian singing that starts in the second minute sound like a German Kommandant barking orders. but then it goes slow and soft as the annoying 1980s computer synth horns fill the soundscape. And then I hear the sound of horses on cobblestones and think, "This is about some mediæval thing!" hich makes me even more curious and engaged. The ensuing high energy insrumental weave is so Phil Collins-era GENESIS that I get goosebumps. Then there is a jazzy vocal section with super-funk bass plucking alternating with majesterial mediæval motifs leading down into a pastoral finish. Wow! Great theatric song! If one can get past the sound (and "Dreamfish" familiarity) one would things this a 10/10 song! (9.5/10): I) Nella sala del trono II) Dopo la pioggia III) Con il viso controvento

3. "Cielo di carta" (2:44) complex 12-string strumming within cheap synth washes over which gentle voice sings lead. (4.5/5)

4. "La collana riffletente" (5:31) sounds very much like an early solo career Steve HACKETT or Mike OLDFIELD song (only, in the demo form--or live--due to the poor sound quality). Great, compositionally, and as a demonstration of collective performance skill, and the Robert Wyatt-like voice is enjoyable (as opposed to so many of the bombastic operatic types)--giving it a quality similar to the more delicate moments of early PFM--while the music prove to be very much something from the melodic/syrupy side of Tony Banks and Steve Hackett (with parts that seem as if they were lifted directly off of the BABYLON album). (8.75/10)

5. "Nel labirinto (il regreto del sole)" (8:23) this mostly-instrumental song feels like the soundtrack to a museum exhibit or YouTube picture montage depicting some period of history. The music is good, definitely proggy, but more in the jam/unfinished category. (15.5/20) : I) La casa di Asterione II) Un addio in silenzio

Total Time: 45:11

It is beautifully and quite competently done. I can't think of much true prog coming out of Italy in the 1980s or 1990s--unless you count the Italian-sounding work of Japanese bands Pazzo Fanfano di Musica, Mr. Sirius, or Asturias--so this album is impressive as well for this fact. Again, were the sound production on this better, we would hold this set of impressive and sincere compositions higher in our esteem.

B+/4.5 stars; an excellent addition to any prog lover's collection--this despite the muddy sound production. (Oh, what could/could have been!)

The tracks are long, the atmosphere romantic but this is actually a very different album compared to ''Il tempo di far la fantasia''.What went wrong?Was it maybe Ambrossi's absence?Possibly not, as Virgilio was also the main composer of the band's fantastic debut.It seems this time the Italian multi-instrumentalist decided to go for a much smoother, more accesible and easy-going style, bringing to mind the most accesible moments of ATON'S and 90's era MARILLION.Add to this style some touches from other music genres such as World Music, Lounge Jazz, Folk and Ambient Music and the puzzle is complete, though it does not seem that the pieces are in the right order.The whole atmosphere is too mellow, the musicianship tends to be hypnotic at moments and the great inspiration of the debut is long gone.Compositionally it is not a bad work, the different ideas and genres are tightly connected, but the music never takes off and it seems not to have a specific orientation.A couple of tracks even contain shadows of the band's debut like ''Omait '' or ''Racconto di maggio, Dell's umano sognare''.But the unrelated themes confuse the listener, while the very soft arrangements make this one far from memorable.

It seems that Virgilio put the project on ice after this effort and I would definitely recommend the listener to stick with the first album of the band.The second release is a peaceful work of vocal Art Rock with decent arrangements but rather forgettable material as a whole...2.5 stars.

The production is clean - almost a bit sterile - and the music seldom rocks, instead it has some sort of a sophisticated jazz feel (think of ECM label). Band's head is obviously Attilio Virgilio (vocals, guitars, guitar-synths, loops, composition, lyrics). Surprisingly against that notion, it's the rhythm section that really shines here, which actually saves the music from being too narcotic at places. Guitar work is not very exciting, I admit. The lyrics are based loosely on Goethe's classic novella about Young Werther, I suppose. (Sadly I don't remember any red fish from the book, but I read it such a long time ago.)

I came to think of 90's Marillion (albums like Afraid Of Sunlight or Brave) and some of Peter Hammill's later output (albums like Out Of Water or Everyone You Hold). Well, definitely no vocal power of Hammill in sight. Light-as-a-feather vocals stay quite secondary to music all the way (think of Camel). Female (background)vocalist guests on a couple of tracks, and a saxophonist on 'Sentilcuore'. No, this album is far from any sort of masterpiece, but pretty enjoyable, and there's not a single bad track. On the other hand, no absolutely memorable highlights either. 3½ stars, rounded up.

English translations of the lyrics appear in the booklet but they don't always make a whole lot of sense; mind you Vladimir Nabokov argued that translations should sound like translations, that they should be faithful to the language of the original rather than read smoothly, so he would doubtless approve of these texts. The lyrics delight in the fantastic and borrow heavily from literature and fables; Montefeltro's musical world is peopled by warrior gods, ancient mariners and mythological creatures, and by images of the stars, Time and Nature. Multi-layered keyboards and 12-string guitars provide scope for the Hackett-inspired lead guitar to emerge like great shards of light through distant blankets of clouds. While Montefeltro don't remotely come close to matching the achievements of their fellow Italians of the Renaissance, this is nonetheless an ambitious piece and I reckon the band must have had a hearty helping of Genesis porridge before they recorded it.

The final track 'Nel Labirinto' was inspired by a Jorge Luis Borges story, 'The House of Asterion', which explores questions of personal identity and personal existence. Borges turns on its head the traditional story of the killing of the Minotaur by the Athenian hero, Theseus. The labyrinth of the title hides Asterion, the mythological Minotaur, and is symbolic of doubt and perplexity. Weary in his solitude within the labyrinth, Asterion longs for 'a place with fewer galleries and fewer doors' and he is killed when he throws himself onto Theseus' sword in the belief that he is embracing his redeemer. Despite its melancholic subject matter this song has something of a festive atmosphere that conjures images of children scurrying off to bed to dream of La Befana, the witch of Italian folklore who delivers their Christmas presents.

Montefeltro basically recorded this album as a two-piece of Attilio Virgilio (vocals, guitars) and Piergiorgio Ambrosi (piano, keyboards), with a pair of guest musicians providing the bass and drums. Their favourite abode is undoubtedly chez Genesis, so if that's your bag you can put on the stretchy pants and prepare yourself for an absolute feast. They're not in the same league as Genesis of course. In fact they're not even in the top echelon of RPI bands but their music is some of the prettiest you'll hear, an aural panacea against life's suffering that sounds like a cocktail of PFM and Genesis infused with glucose. If you don't enjoy sweet and harmonious symphonic music you might want to bang your head *here* rather than listen to this. The remaining three tracks are much of a muchness and that lack of variety is my only concern with the album, otherwise this might have been worthy of the elusive fifth star.

Lots of instrumental parts even if the opening track which mixes some French spoken introduction and Italian vocals. Nice for the Latin flavour, but not really great to be honest. Shall I say that the same feeling is prevailing while listening to the whole piece? Probably.

This album is not a weak one but I can't be laudatory about it. Genuine personality is lacking, for sure. The music displayed is not impressive and I won't remember it after a while. Actually, there are very few reasons to come back to this album and listen to it over and over again. Would it be to discover some aspects that would have been hidden after a few listens or just to listen to some great tracks once more. Because, I can hardly find one great track on this "Pecce Rosso". A bit of jazzy compromise with "Alma Criança" which is not too bad after all.

The worse is being achieved during the reggae-ish intro of "Sentilcuore" which miraculously evolves towards a true and wonderful true Italian prog attempt: fine vocals, subtle (excellent) sax are paving the way. The best track so far, even if its intro is quite weak.

But the soufflé falls again quite abruptly with the opening part of the epic " Racconto Di Maggio". Fortunately, it only lasts for some three minutes?But to tell the truth, it is only during the last section of this song that the cake gets some flavours back.

And one of the best moment from this offering is the quite good "Altomare" which provides all the great feelings that the fine ISP genre can bring: charm, passion, skills and virtuosity.

All in all, this album is average. Two stars is the bill.

A glorious definition, should I say. The honesty though leads me to warn some (most?) of you: these "Watcher Of The Skies" lines have been so many times borrowed already. What's the need to duplicate the feeling, please???

The epic "Canto" is so much filled with these sounds that I can hardly be thrilled: too much is too much. Of course pleasant, yes. But no more. Sounds more as a neo-prog hymn than anything else.

Keyboards are quite encouraging and pleasant. They are definitely providing a deep emotion and imprint the minds. Still, there aren't any development à la "Apocalypse in 9/8" from the magnificent "Supper's Ready". But I admit that the model is hard to match so; no what's the need to try out?

The closing part is bombastic and powerful, for sure. A good piece of prog, that's not the question. Is this essential? That's another question. My answer is : no.

Most of the other songs featured do confirm the initial feel: a very strong borrowing item. This is my opinion. Played with skills. Sung with care. My fave moments being the instrumental parts though (no guitar, but gorgeous keys).

This "Tempo Di Far La Fantasia" is a good album. Three stars. Too much a copy of whom you might know. I'm just walking across the sitting room?

"Il Tempo" is an interesting 90s Italian prog release. The band is closer to the lighter and prettier sounds of Mindflower or Willowglass than it is to a bolder band like Finisterre. The album is as drop-dead gorgeous as the album cover advertises: beginning to end it is chock full of stately keyboard play, mostly synths and piano, drenched in reserved and nuanced electric and acoustic guitars. This is an album for people looking for romantic, pretty, pastoral prog. I think it's an enjoyable album that blends a classical symphonic feel with a distinct neo-prog feel but my rating stops well short of some fellow reviewers. I think there is too much sameness throughout the album in the overall sound. It's a bit too pleasant at times, a bit too John Tesh, in need of a little more drama or darkness if simply for some contrast. There is some variety in the composition as mentioned below, but not enough in the sound.this album could use more variety in instruments and participants. I notice this on most albums by a single musician or even duos with guests as is the case here; there is little substitute for a true band with a wide variety of talents.

"Canto" is the highlight of the album, a 10-part suite covering 22 minutes. The first vocals begin after a brief intro and it is quickly obvious they are not the strength of the group. Certainly not bad, just soft, fragile, without much confidence. The keyboards quickly establish dominance with a lush organ and synth backdrop for which the electric guitar lays down some nice soloing, using the volume pedal to good effect. The electric guitar use is noteworthy in the way it is melded into the sound, rarely out front, more aurally blended into the actual keyboards so as to be sometimes indistinguishable. Then we have some tasty piano and flashy drumming. The piece moves through a wide variety of compositional territory with some upbeat sections, some dreamy lighter sections. (Again note the distinction between composition which is quite good, and sound which could use more variety.) It is mostly instrumental using vocals as just more texturing as opposed to a significant role. "Il Prescelto" begins with the mentioned Neo-sounding mood, upbeat, light, friendly. Lush keyboards abound with acoustic guitars and pleasant vocals. The drum work is certainly proficient, sometimes even a bit busy for the material being supported. "Cielo di Carta" features fragile falsetto vocals over acoustic guitar with light synth background. There is also some piano sprinkled lightly in the mix. This track has a longing vibe to the music. Flashy little keyboard solo at the end. "La Collana" is similar to "Il Prescelto" but with some breezy electric guitar in places. "Nel Labirinto" begins with a strange vocal collage that is a bit scary, but soon gorgeous acoustics begin playing and there is delicious flute-sounding synth and beautiful piano. The bass comes through a bit more towards the end which is welcome. Abrupt fade-out end..ouch.

Not bad but not a title to get super-excited about. If you are relatively new to Italian prog do not start here. After a thorough sampling of the '70s classics you may wish to try this someday. When you get to the 90s I would suggest sampling Finisterre's wonderful "In Limine" before trying Montelfeltro.