DENTRO L'INVISIBILE

Here is another one of those one-shot wonder RPI bands that came, saw and vanished without any adulation or even criticism. Proof again how amazing and prolific the scene really was back in the glory days and how deeply it had affected Italian musical culture! Genfuoco's Dentro L'Invisible is a standout piece of 1979 music recorded at a time when progressive rock was writhing in its global death throws, a heady mix of expansive symphonics, dedicated jazzier elements (the sulfuric presence of saxophone, flute and upright bass) and inherent classicisms. The soothing strains of "Ouverture" certainly does that grandly, a precious instrumental tryst where the rumbling bass and terrific drumming install a moody platform on which acoustic guitar, synths, sax and restrained electric axe phrasings are all washed in a luxuriating Floydian bath where the jazzy bubbles caress the soul. "Dalla Tana" introduces vocals in typical RPI fashion, expressive and complex, piano leading the way with support from the heady saxophone, more cavalry provided by the ornate flute and contemplative excursions into a folk meets fusion realm where all instrumentalists can express their craft without presumption or arrogance. "Traspare" promises even deeper intrusions into the pastoral and bucolic, a bit like a gentle summer breeze discreetly epic and when the rowdy sax kicks in, we are in RPI heaven! The guitar overtakes the theme and zips in a parallel direction, ebbing and flowing majestically. The fragile vocals offer even more articulacy to the breathless peace, slumbering goose bumps galore and effervescent mood swings into jazzier environments. This is another one of those "Sunday morning as the sun wakes" kind of discs, not too challenging or outright soporific but certainly euphoria inducing . "Terra Promessa" is a 6 minute 2 part mini-epic that perpetuates the frail beauty of their undemanding craft, but it becomes obvious that the liner notes and hence the title order are all wrong. Okay, "va bene" because the next piece is a cosmic stunner, "Galassie"(Galaxies) is a riveting journey full of pulsating passion , featuring propelling bass and drums, excellent vocals, cool guitar phrasings, coherent piano and searching flute. Brooding music that aims to please. "La Serenata del Fiume" is a classic RPI ballad, at home with the Celeste, PFM, Errata Corrige pastoral genre, with superlative vocals courtesy of Marco Borgogni and fine female background vocals. The title track ends this short CD (this tendency for under 40 minutes is my only peeve with classic RPI!) on a positive note a resplendent expedition into symphonic progland with groove-induced contemplation, lead guitarist Paolo di Luca getting to flesh out his inspiration with added passionate male vocalizing and female scat singing. This is not an absolute must have but a definite strong addition to RPI addicts who need their fix to be continuously creative. Place this between other one shot gems Samadhi and Maxophone, but with a definite folkier stance. Beautiful understated artwork seals the deal . 4 invisible fires