STATI DI IMMAGINAZIONE

This legendary Italian progrock band delivered many outstanding studio-albums in the Seventies but I prefer their live sound, just a grade more powerful and captivating like on the album USA (aka Cook) from 1975 and work from the new PFM line-up like the DVD Live In Japan 2002 and the CD/DVD Piazza Del Campo (2003), what an outstanding musicians and what a dynamic and captivating symphonic prog! I was very curious to this new CD (with bonus DVD) featuring eights instrumental songs from the 'veterans' Franz Di Cioccio on drums and Franco Mussida on guitars who founded a trio with bass player Patrick Djivas, accompanied by guest musicians Lucio Fabbri (violin and keyboards) and Gianluca Tagliavini (Hammond organ and Moog synthesizer).First the CD:

1.La Terra Dell'Acqua (8.13) : It starts with spacey keyboards, fragile guitarplay and a warm bass sound, then gradually the music turns into more lush delivering a compelling violin solo. After an accellaration with a swinging bass, we can enjoy a splendid guitar solo in captivating interplay with piano and propulsive drum work, eventually quite bombastic. Then a mellow part with tender Grand piano and in the end a dynamic concludion featuring a fiery and bluesy guitar solo with howling licks, accompanied by a powerful rhythm-section, great!

2. Il Mondo In Testa (3.55) : After a classical, warm sounding intro on piano and violin, a swinging rhythm follows with a pleasant blend of guitar, piano and violin, halfway a vibraphone joins. The music reminds me of Gentle Giant and Frank Zappa, both because of the strong interplay and inventive changing of climates.

3. La Conquista (6.26) : Another swinging rhythm and exciting interplay between rhythm guitar, bass and vibraphone. The the moods shift from dreamy with soaring keyboards and fragile guitar to bluesy with wah-wah guitar and the vintage keyboard aficionados can freak out with a wonderful and long solo on the Moog synthesizer, evoking 'the good old Celebration days'.

4. Il Sogno Di Leonardo (6.43) : First warm acoustic guitar an dflute, then a beautiful build-up with wonderful interplay by piano and acoustic guitar, very romantic. I also enjoyed the sensitive violin sound and a slow synthesizer solo.

5. Cyber Alpha (4.27) : This piece is build upon an excellent build-up guitar solo with howling and biting runs and spectacular use of the way-wah pedal.

6. Agua Azul (3.53) : The intro delivers subtle interplay between bass and strings, what an unique sound! Then lots of shifting moods and exciting work on the Moog and violin.

7. Nederland 1903 (3.20) : Thanks to PFM for this tribute to my home country The Netherlands (Nederland), the picture in the booklet showcases a fishermen family in traditional clothes. The atmosphere is mainly dreamy with beautiful work on the piano and guitar along mellow Hammond play.

8. Visioni Di Archimede (8.57) : This is PFM at their best, what a dynamic and varied sound and great colouring by fiery electric guitar, exciting rhythm guitar, powerful Hammond and spectacular Moog play.

Then the DVD, the track list is similar to the CD but unfortunately it features only images from cities, landscapes, cartoons or black and white scenes from the African native people, no studio - or live footage from the band. Nonetheless, the images are wonderful!

In my opinion PFM has made a masterpiece and, it may sounds as 'blasphemy to the Italian progrock history', I would like to conclude that this is PFM their best studio effort ever, what a dynamic, caried and captivating album, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

This review is a tribute to the very inspirational Italian 'fellow symphomaniacs' Andrea Cortese and Mandrakeroot, grazie, you must be proud to be Italian, what a band!