NYMPHAE

This is a very pleasant album that definitely slots into the mellower side of Italian symphonic prog. It features fine acoustic textures provided on guitar, piano and flute, long developed songs reminiscent of PFM and Celeste, but thoroughly updated at the same time, with just enough compatible vocals to pull it off.

For me, Nymphae picks up about halfway through the opener, "Caccia alle streghe", and wavers a bit in the final long piece, but not enough to dock a star, because the broad middle of the disk is so appealing. In particular, "Il Sentiero" is an understated jewel , while "Hey Sid" at first seems more of a Tull tribute than one to Mr Barrett of Pink Floyd infamy, given the flute style. Still, it rides a clever electric guitar riff and some what more aggressive vocals until it shifts into more of a sing song mode reminiscent of French 1970s group Orion. But eventually a Floydian solo begins, before we return to earlier themes. In a way the excellent instrumental, "La Villa della seta", is more like Floyd by virtue of its space rock leanings, but it is probably the most original piece on the album, with the guitar itself sounding atmospheric before the flute and distorted guitar have their way again.

Shame that this was a one-shot, but I'm glad I bought it on a whim, and recommend it if you can find it and like modern Italian symphonic with woodwinds....and who doesn't?