ALBERGO INTERGALATTICO SPAZIALE

Albergo Intergalattico Spaziale were an extremely obscure Italian Electronic duo of Mino Di Martino and Terra Di Benedetto. They released thier only self titled album in 1978 and moved on to seperate things soon after. I was hoping to find a hidden gem. But despite my best efforts to enjoy it, I coulden't. At best, I found the songs interesting. It just isn't for me. However, if you find it online, give it a spin, especialy if you like Avant- garde, New Age, Italian music, or any combination of the three. Or if you just want to hear a weird New Age version of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy". 2.5/5

This debut, self-titled album is the only release from Albergo Intergalattico Spaziale, which is upsetting, because this is some seriously great enigmatic progressive electronic. This album is unique in that vocals are featured on most of the tracks, and they're done wonderfully. Of course, the Italian language is well suited for musical use, and that shines on this album. On some tracks, the vocals carry the real melody while avant-garde electronic experiments fill the background. Besides the vocals, these tracks all vary quite a bit; you've got avant-garde-electro sound barrages ("Live Pistoia"), mellow ambience with experimental accents ("Phasing", "Senza Titolo", "Tastiera Solo", "Sabbie Vergini"), dramatically lush soundscapes ("Improvvisazione", "4 tracce"), "Bariazioni su 'angeli di solitudine" is a bizarre vocal solo, and "Hymalaya" is a pre-new-age pop track that would be well suited for slow- dancing. Out of all of the prog electronic artists and albums I've listened to, this album is definitely one of the most complete. If you can get a chance to, this an album to check out.

I have no internal qualms about calling this album an enigmatic masterpiece of the genre. Fans of electronic music and avant-garde music should take great notice of this album. It's sad that this is their only release.

Despite I am Italian, I have to admit that Italian bands in the seventies didn't understand properly what to do with electronic instruments and a real Italian Electronic scene never formed. Battiato or some songs by Le Orme could be good exceptions (ok, Battiato IS a real exception), but people like Sangiuliano or this Albergo Intergalattico Spaziale sounded very, very old and surpassed even at their debut. When this project published this album people like Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze, Kraftwerk, Jean Michel Jarre and Brian Eno had already pushed the electronic edge much forward. Here you can find only phased farfisa organs, few real electronics and some abused ideas (Beethoven's Hymn to Joy with oriental sounding words... veeeeeery trashy). Thanks god you can listen to Terra di Benedetto's beautiful voice and finally you find Hymalaya, IMO the only really good track in this bunch (by the way: it is a bonus, as it was out of the original vynil track list). Believe when I say that the cult tributed to this work has mainly to do with its rareness than with its real value.

Electronic prog "supergroup" formed by Mino Di Martino, Albergo Intergalattico Spaziale released in 1978 what I consider to be part of the finest albums produced in Italy. Curious, enigmatic, fractured and gorgeous, this albums features dense electronic soundscapes, including inspired analog synth excursions, classical music tendencies and off course massive "cerebral" avant gardist fantasies. "Live Pistoia" features loving spacey electronics, emotionally expressive and technically complex. The composition is punctuated by discreet, ethereal female voices. "Phasing" is a graceful, lyrical composition for voices and "dreamlike" synth chords. "Senza Titolo" features contemplative choirs, adjusted by electronic effects. A haunting, semi-acoustic song. "Tastiera solo" provides analog synth textures for a rather "fantomatic" symphonic "trip". It gives gorgeously "creepy" tones, notably taken from classical music pieces. "Improvvisazione" is a tasteful lyrical synth composition including bizarre vocalisations. "Tracce" is a sort of strange and "hypnotic" electronic exercice for repetitive patterns and crystalline pulses. The bonus track called "Hymalaya" is a totally painful melodic pop song that brings nothing to the rest. Deeply recommended for fans of "baroque" Italian prog and kosmische electronics.