I CALIFFI

It is good to find, among all the eclecticism that is Italian progressive rock, more austere productions, without many pretensions, but no less interesting for that. Fiore di Metallo is an album with basic instrumentation, without extravagant arrangements or avant-garde interests; on the contrary, the songs vary from a certain pop romanticism, to the classic hard rock of the 70's, passing through the instrumentals "Varius" and "campane", (the latter closer to the traditions of progressive rock, perhaps more complex , but very accessible). If we add to this the fact that the songs are of a short duration, then we have a highly recommended work for those who want to start in the world of Italian progressive rock.

The mixing on this album is really something else, right from the start, kind of jarring with "Al mattino"... It feels like my ears are experiencing the depth and breadth of the composition lol. I don't know how else to put it. And I really have to wonder if they did it with such great purpose (I assume yes). At least it's musically lovely. And very very of the time, 1969/1970, just as 1973's followup, Fiore di metallo, is very much a product of its time. For general fans of Prog, I would recommend starting with Fiore (as I did).

This strange production style on the opener relaxes immediately and the remainder is largely orthodox in mixing. On that second track, "Ma dove vai", the organ and harmonica call to mind GRAHAM BOND ORGANISATION. Sort of an Italian Beat thing (as I'm sure that was very much a thing post-British Invasion). Other elements of that style of jazz-inspired early hard rock can be heard on the closer, "Marshall Jim 100".

Musically, the album is an interesting mix of general 1960s idioms. What we, as ProgArchives listeners, may have come for in Proto-Prog and Psychedelia is matched with Sunshine(ish) Pop, Baroque Pop and even neo-classical flavors (yes, I know this may sound redundant having already mentioned Proto-Prog), and that sort of rootsy(?), bluesy, even jazzy thing (the specific sound that made me think of Graham BOND). Are Progressive Rock fans going to want to flock to this early, at best, Proto-Prog-adjacent album? I would think not. But also, this release, 4 years before the aforementioned 1973 followup, shows an interesting creative basis for the band: How were I Califfi inspired early on? What were they jumping off of to become one of the many bands within the very specific Italian Prog pantheon?

One thing that of course caught my eye (and then my ears) was their cover of the (early) Bee Gees, here, the title track: "Cosí ti amo (To Love Somebody)". The organ they use here reminds me of PROCOL HARUM. Makes me even more curious of all the bands and musical artists that had greatest effect on I Califfi. To be clear, really, a decent album. But that's about it. Certainly not a whole lotta Prog goin' on in 1969, but especially not on this'n... If I were to suggest anything, it's the previously mentioned final track on the digital version I had access to, "Marshall Jim 100." Heavy jammin'.

Enjoy! Or don't!

Just found the early 90's Italian vinyl reissue of this album that is nearly impossible to find in its original form (for under $1k). This is a minor release in the RPI 1970's catalog from a band with roots that go deep into the 60's. (bassist Franco Boldrini, the sole surviving 60's member started professionally in Italy in 1963, and the band has its origins in1966). Like many beat bands of the 60's era, some adapted to the current times by turning prog.

Many of the beat bands who transitioned to the 70's still bear traces of the optimism and upbeat approach of their 60's origins. Opener Nel Mio Passato alternates gentle acoustic passages with a building prog riff reminiscent of early Yes-things get going and the keyboard skills of Sandro Cinotti get the full window display here-powerful hammond organ, buzzing moogs, traces of harpsichord or spinet all blend into a very peppy (and slightly poppy) introduction. Second song Fiore Finto, Fiore Di Metallo tears off with guitar and rhythm section straight from Deep Purple's Highway Star before the pop sensibilities take a bit of control. Good straight ahead rock n roll with prog touches but propelled by a furious beat from drummer Maurizio Bordini. One of the more frantic songs on the album, it has nice touches of synth over the fade out of the riff. Alleluia Gente starts with acoustic guitar and a subdued vocal with hand drum accompaniment gives us a quick contrast from the last song. Poppy? Sort of, but wouldn't be out of place on a Le Orme album, or perhaps Wind and Wuthering. Great synth work saves this one. Catchy, but might turn off some prog fans. Side one closes with the masterpiece Varius- a Triumvirat styled instrumental workout that comes out of left field in its brilliance. Thunderous Wakeman (or Virgil Fox) church organ swirls with dexterity that shows the classical skills well as an intro, before heading into a song that could have been an outtake from Spartacus. Gentle solo piano gives a tempo interlude before heading off again in a burst of energy and a piano workout that rivals Emerson's best work. The crescendo at the end is straight from several ELP songs (Triumvirat was always thought of as the German ELP anyway...) This is the best song on the album, and like other reviewers have pointed out, if more of the album sounded like this, well.......they would be viewed as one of the top Italian prog bands.

Side two kicks off with Felicità, Sorriso E Pianto, more in line with typical AOR Italian radio music of the 70's-thank the gods that they didn't put this first on side one, as it would have needles pulling off and albums getting bagged up to sell without going further. Not terrible, but not terribly progressive-maybe think Dolcimissa Maria from PFM. A Piedi Scalzi picks up the pace-more a straight ahead rocker in the 1969-1970 proto prog vein. Heavy phasing on drum fills is nice, and guitarist Vincenzo Amadei gets a workout here. Again this might have too much catchiness for prog fans, but is an excellent hybrid. Madre, Domani ... is another pop tune that straddles the prog end with some quirky Gentle Giant styled mini interludes between verses. Col Vento Nei Capelli is a straight ahead rocker with some gurgling synths in counterpoint to some ripping guitar that should have been a radio hit, but in 1973 this early 1970-1 sounding song was probably too late to the rodeo. Catchy. Album closer Campane starts with church bells and tinkling piano that lead to the second best song on the album, an instrumental that shows off some nice synth and again is reminiscent of Triumvirat, very complex and beautiful. For this song and Varius alone, this album is worth investigating.

Overall, this is a very well recorded album-dynamic and clearly defined high end with deep bass. While I wouldn't say you should start here in your Italian Prog journey, this is an album that might appeal to prog fans who like the pop pastoral edges of Genesis' Wind and Wuthering. Definitely one that RPI fans should get once they got some of the bigger titles out of the way. These guys should have been huge, but it seems that they were not taken seriously as a prog band-some Italian fans often dismissed beat bands that tried to make the jump into the prog field.

3.25 stars

I Califfi were a beat group in the late Sixties that dissolved leaving only bassist Franco Boldrini. After recruiting a new band, Boldrini and I Califfi were signed to Fonit/Cetra and unleashed this one-album-wonder before disbanding again. Fiore Di Metallo can be categorized under RPI, but is mainly Heavy Prog with a few symphonic tangents and a definite pop bent. These diverse qualities contribute to a mismatched assortment of tunes that are somehow satisfying, but not particularly challenging. I hear a Deep Purple influence on some tracks, but ELP and Yes on others; Fiore di Metallo would probably appeal to fans of both camps, but will be of primary interest to RPI collectors as all the lyrics are in Italian of course. Having said that, there are way too many RPI essentials to get through before this - it might be in my top 100, but is no where near the top 50.

The first ten minutes of Fiore di Metallo don't do much to grab your attention: "Nel Mio Passato" does have some tempo and stylistic changes, but nothing too extreme; "Fiore Finto, Fiore di Metallo" is a passable hard rock song with a few synth flourishes to whet your appetite; the beginning of "Alleluia Gente" exhibits the band's more accessible side. But by the last minute of the third track, an extended instrumental outtro permits I Califfi to embellish a simple melody with some unexpectedly elegant musicianship. This newly revealed skill is fully announced on "Varius."

If Rick Wakeman and Carl Palmer had a baby that fell from space and made music, it would sound like "Varius." This song is so completely out of left field and amazing I almost want to rate the album four stars on sheer principle. Alas, five minutes of perfection does not an album make. "Varius" is undoubtedly the highlight of Fiore di Metallo and Califfi seems like a different band entirely. Sadly, they return to a more commercial sound on "Felicita, Sorriso e Pianto" which is not terrible, but pales in comparison after "Varius." "A Piedi Scalzi" smokes through heavy riffs and offers the obligatory guitar solo. "Madre, Domani..." begins with a laid-back Prog Folk feel, but turns into what is the most symphonic cut on the album. "Col Vento Nei Capelli" rocks and shows off some sweet dual-guitar action, but feels routine by this point. A final symphonic workout, "Campane" gracefully completes the album. "Campane" like "Varius" is an instrumental, and really advertises what a good band I Califfi could have been. Instead, Fiore di Metallo offers about ten minutes of mind-blowing music, and thirty minutes of other stuff.

Another case of an Italian beat group switching to prog over the years, I Califfi were formed in 1965 in Florence, including among the members later Area's guitarist Paolo Tofani and Campo Di Marte's drummer Carlo Marcovecchio.An album entitled ''Cosi ti amo'' (1969) and more than 10 singles was the production of the first formation.By early 70's the only remaining original member was bassist Franco Boldrini.With Vincenzo Amadei on guitar/vocals, Sandro Cinotti on keyboards and Maurizio Boldrini on drums the new I Califfi released the album ''Fiore Di Metallo'' on Fonit in 1973, strongly influenced by the Italian Prog movement.

Unlike other beat groups which tried to blend their pop aesthetics with prog, I Califfi had fully transformed into a Progressive Rock band by the time the album was released with only hints of their past on a couple of tracks.Their sound was somewhat divided between powerful complex guitar-driven compositions and more elaborate keyboard-led arrangements with organ, harpsichord and moog synths on the front.The influence by classic acts like PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI, GLI ALLUMINOGENI or MUSEO ROSENBACH are more than obvious.The more folsky and softer arrangements have a strong PFM influence with good work on synths, organ and acoustic guitars, not to mention the expressive multi-vocal parts.Other pieces are dominated by complicated guitar breaks in a Hard Prog mood, not unlike the lines of CAPITOLO 6 or IBIS.Additionally individual numbers or parts of a composition show some strong influence by E.L.P. in a typical romantic baroque-styled Italian Prog with a sound close to HUNKA MUNKA.Overall the transformation of the band was more than sufficient, blending a variety of styles showing up in 70's Italian Prog, and only a pair of straightforward rockers seems to weaken the whole effort.

I Califfi are still active today, always led by Franco Boldrini, as Franco Dei Califfi, recording and performing around Italy.

A decent album, typical example of 70's Italian Prog, based on the balanced compositions,which will please any fan of specific prog styles, though the lack of originality is evident throughout.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.

Hmmm... I Califf was one of the more famous Italian Beat band and this compilation is good if you search the origin of I Califfi. But if you are a Progsters with no open mind... In every case good are "Così Ti Amo" and "Acqua E Sapone". But these songs are in new recordings, without the magic of the original versions. Also the production help this fact, due to the fact that is poor for power.

In definitive view this is an Italian Beat compilation, without Prog and the original magic. Certainly for who search the origin of Italian Rock, not for Progsters.

Well... I Califfi 'Flashback' is not a bad compilation. But if you search Prog in this compilation... It is difficult that you find Prog in this compilation. Ok, thesongs are Beat but with arrangement very interesting, also Prog, but that are not suffice for to put these songs in Prog category. Proto Prog is also a vali category for to put these songs. But these songs are not Proto Prog, also if Proto Prog is a valid category for these songs.

Are you confused? I am confused by my sentence and since my sentence is the bible (excuse me but this is the only words that I can use to make them understand how difficult it is to take the proper description and categorization for these songs) it is difficult to deny me. Today, in fact, it is difficult to create a good description for these songs. Maybe is correct: Post Beat/ Proto Prog? No, because these songs are too Beat and too few Proto Prog. And while these songs are too adventurous because Beat is the correct place for these songs.

Well... It isn't a ridiculous review. But I think that today these songs are good for to be place in Proto Prog. But if you know Prog... These songs are simply Beat songs. With (in some songs) Prog arrangements.

Sung entirely in Italian, is a progressive and very dense precipitate rhythm. To listen to the album shows that the guitars and keyboards are very present. The training starts in 60 years as a group of beat music, the guitarist will play first in Electric Frankenstein, hard rock group very heavy. Some titles are gentle, calm and relaxed, in line with the Italian Progressive Rock. Varius is a title the church organ, and the progressive moves directly influence with Emerson Lake and Palmer. Other tracks are very varied, as very smooth and progressive hard rock like 'a piedi scalzi', the album is thus a progressive hard rock, progressive rock the other soft. Sandro Cinotti has a know-how and great skill in its musicality.

Great potential!!

This is almost like three different groups coming together to make a good RPI album. There's the awesome progressive style with keyboards galore and shifting rhythms; the pop style with nice, memorable vocal passages and prog flavoring; and the straightforward blues-rock style with its repetetive riffs and unimaginative solos.

Let me start with the three great tracks, the most progressive entries on the album. The opener "Nel Mio Passato" is the most successful song which blends the various styles that the band brings to bear. Nice vocals, nice keyboards, melodic tune, good guitar work. Strong opening! The fourth track, "Varius," is a keyboard driven masterwork that is captivating and exciting. The closing track, "Campane," is a great blend of the above two works, with strong keyboards and good variety. If the entire album were along the lines of these three songs, this album would be considered a classic.

The three pop style songs, with a typical singer/songwriter style, are also excellent. They are "Alleluia Gente," "Felicita, Sorriso e Pianto," and "Madre Domani." As is typical of the italian pop style, they are centered around vocals, usually accompanied by nice acoustic guitar, mellow organ, and fairly straightforward rhythm section. "Alleluia" and "Madre" have really nice prog-inflected sections as well, featuring some excellent melodic keyboard work.

The three straightforward blues-rock songs, "Fiore Finto, Fiore di Metallo," "A Piedi Scalzi," and "Col Vento nei Cappelli," are completely forgettable. I now skip them every time I listen to the album.

Overall, the album isn't very successful at blending their various styles. (That kind of success is frequently seen in the RPI classic works.) The album seems fragmented to me, almost a hodgepodge of different composers with contrasting styles trying to force their will onto the rest of the band (late Beatles, anyone?). The album is good enough for three stars, but it could have been so much more . . .

Third version by I Califfi... All new members... Supervised by original keyboardist Giacomo Romoli!

This third version of I Califfi have a totally new line-up (without connections between 60's and 70's line-ups) with all totally new members. Since this band is only supervised by the original keyboardist Giacomo Romoli you (and I) we should expect a band devoted to the Beat revival. But this is not true. Or better...

...'Fiore Di Metallo' is all forgotten (and you forget it). Precisely is good to see in this album a POP version of Procol Harum! But, for to be precise, is not true because Procol Harum is not inspiration for this version of I Califfi because this is an album of POP with Fusion bass (a la Jaco Pastorius!!!) in certain songs. It is true that 'La Fiera Del Perdono' (original ('Scarborough Fair' by Simon & Garfunkel) in this new version is a pure English Folk but it is true that in all this CD it is a strange perception that invedes my body and mind. In fact if in first plan is the melody (POP melody) it is true that the complexity of Prog is present. It is in first plan the fact that 'All'Improvviso' (eng: 'Suddenly') is a Beat revival album but the perception is that, at the same time, 'All'Improvviso' is a Proto Prog album.

With this type of premises 'All'Improvviso' is an album that crowd. Because yes, I Califfi are a great band in the revival Beat festivals but it is true that I Califfi music is not a pure Beat, is not a Prog music, is not a POP music. Or better, except for 'Fiore Di Metallo' I Califfi music is a strange hybrid, Proto Prog if we have to classify this music, but that today not have a pure classification.

'All'Improvviso' is also a good album, but if you do not are a RPI fan 'All'Improvviso' is not a good album.

(P.s.: 3 or 4 stars for me... But 2 stars in PA definition of ratings!!!)