I TEOREMI

I Teoremi was an Italian heavy blues quartet that released their one and only album in 1972. It's notable for Aldo Bellanova's inventive bass playing, which propels many of the tracks like a Roman pile driver. Broadly speaking, the music on this album consists of hard rock with occasional progressive elements. The obvious standout track for prog fans is the 9-minute, riff- laden instrumental MARE DELLA TRANQUILLITA. In addition to being the longest of the album's 7 tracks, it's also the most adventurous and is the only one to feature keyboards. Demented piano and chorieform bass/drums provide the bedrock for guitarist Mario Schiliro to show off his considerable chops on some lengthy solos. There's a drum solo around the halfway point, but it doesn't outstay its welcome.

The sprawling IMPRESSIONE features superb shifts in dynamics, from its spaced-out guitar solo to the frenetic 6-string monologue that immediately follows. The pace slows a bit with NUVOLA CHE COPRI IL SOLE. Lord Enzo's impassioned vocals take centre stage here, ably supported by an intricate bass line and crunching guitar. QUALCOSA D'IRREALE is another highlight, with guitar and bass lines wrapped together like a pair of copulating snakes. Moments of respite are few and far between but the closing track, A CHI NON SARA PIU, contains some acoustic guitar of all things. It also has one of the album's best melodies. The remaining two tracks, PASSI DA GIGANTE and the instrumental IL DIALOGO DI UN PAZZO, are rather pedestrian in comparison to the other tracks.

I Teoremi is all about raw energy rather than subtlety and complex structures. Their album contains a couple of weak tracks, but otherwise the compositions are good. If you're in the mood for some good honest Blues-rock, featuring lengthy guitar solos and monstrous bass, then this should hit the spot nicely.