INCASTRO

Madrugada's second (and unfortunately, last) studio album is generally regarded as their most convincing work and their best contribution to the italian progressive scene. The trio was composed by keyboardist Gianfranco Pinto, bassist Alessandro "Billy" Zanelli and drummer percussionist Pietro Rapelli. Their sound is eclectic and varied going from more typical rock progressivo italiano patterns (as in E' Triste il Vento with a certain Lucio Fabbri on violin) through jazz-rock excursions, to more experimental avantguard territories and even to typical folk tunes from the Alps. This is clearly the main choice, here, to shock the listener with many changes fo tempo and atmosphere. Frank Zappa and Robert Wyatt wisely mixed within genuine italian flavour and invention with sparse tribal and dramatic overtones.

Two long tracks (almost intrumental) deserve special mention: the opener Romanzen (12:30) which goes absurd in the ending "panting" part with more than a reference also to Alan Sorrenti's Come un Vecchio Incensiere...'s epic.

Aragon (8:51) has a harder structure thanks to the guitar played by Luciano Ninzatti. A smooth bass guitar contribution from "Billy" Zanelli, atmospheric and quasi-cosmic keyboards in a very hypnotizing vortex.

With Katmandu (3:41) the band opens with interesting eastern/indian influences that suddenly fade into a strange "pop" song with funny lyrics about a lost love in India and the obviously sad return to the home village, Berghem, that's why of the unespected folk vocals based choir following (Noter de Berghem, 1:26).

The instrumental closer Hobbit (6:09) follows the example of Romanzen and Aragon with catching and strong bass lines, aggressive drums and percussions, non-sense colours and those cosmic keyboards' adventures.

E' Triste il Vento (5:28) features the important contribution of PFM's member Lucio Fabbri on violin and is the most typical RPI song with mellow vocals and slightly medieval- renaissance feel. Very good.

On the elegant BTF's papersleeve remastered reissue there are also three bonus live tracks: Aragon and Hobbit plus the previously unreleased Pinto Suite (14:15). Not the best sound's quality, ok, but a great document of the strong personality of the band.

3.5 stars