FIRST LIVE IN JAPAN

"Created by Furio Chirico (ex-Trip's drummer), Arti & Mestieri blends jazz-rock with progressive perfectly: imagine Mahavishnu Orchestra's sumptuousness embroidered with (splendid) mellotron parts! A fabulous violinist, Giovanni Vigliar, is the leader of that combo. He is supported by an efficient rhythm section (Furio's drums and Marco Gallesi's bass). « Tilt » (1974), their first album is a milestone of Italian rock. Listen to 'Strips' or 'Articolazioni' for example, the only two tracks featuring vocals. (?) Their following albums are more conventional, presenting a more common jazz-rock." This is how Jacques Toni presented this fabulous combo in the guide to the Italian progressive rock of the 70's, "Storia di un minuto". Well, I have nothing to add except that this live opus is a de luxe visiting card for those who don't know this band yet (it features 'Strips' for instance) and a must for Italian prog addicts in general. For sure, the musicians changed meanwhile (only the famous keyboards man Bepe Crovella and Furio Chirico remain from the original line-up) but the new musicians, especially the violinist (Lautaro Acosta) and the saxophonist (Alfredo Ponissi), are exceptional players who are faithful to the typical Arti & Mestieri sound. Gorgeous!