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Nuova Idea - Mr. E. Jones CD (album) cover

MR. E. JONES

Nuova Idea

 

Rock Progressivo Italiano

3.51 | 57 ratings

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friso
Prog Reviewer
4 stars Nuova Idea - Mr. E Jones (1972)

I recently searched the internet for some some previews of RPI albums and I found this obscure Italian record from Nuova Idea. The band is pretty unknown, but I think this is an important album for the RPI-Canon.

The importance of a record is often measured by it's quality and it's innovative/influential effect on other bands and genres. Well, Nuova idea isn't that influential. It's clearly a band with influences from RPI giants like PFM en Le Orme and of course the English symphonic movement. The quality of this Mr. E Jones record is however very good and I think it's overlooked (or just not reviewed yet) by many fanatic RPI collectors on PA.

About the music. Nuova idea plays symphonic progressive rock with a lot of influences. The rockin' parts show a clear Deep Purple influence, the song-writing has a lot of melodic rock (perhaps crossover) influences, but the instrumental parts are suddenly very intelligent. The composition is often very good. The sound of the band is a bit like other cultish RPI records: warm and artistic. The Italian vocals of the band are better then on most RPI records. The albums hasn't been described very accurately to often yet, so I'll write a song-by-song reviews.

Svegliati Edgar. Such an melodic and catchy opener! The main theme reminds me a bit of Kayak's See see the Sun with it's relaxing and feel-good atmosphere. The hard-rock interplays in the song are sophisticated and fun to listen to. The vocals are very attractive. I like the Italian lyrics in combination with the English name, Mister Jones.

The second track, Mr E Jones, continues the style of the first songs. A nice symphonic song with moogs and Led Zeppelin guitars. The couplet-theme is original with a perhaps some Supertramp influences. The variety of melodies within in the song is great. This compact song also makes me feel very good!

Viaggio Nel Mondo Dei Sogni. This songs has a spacey intro with nice use of the Hammond organ. The vocals are intimate. The melodic rock song that follows has a ballad- type feel, but the spacey interludes gives the song a haunting effect.

Un'Ora Del Tuo Tempo is nice rock track with a Sabbath's Sabbra Cadabra kind of sound. The vocals are a bit more aggressive and the instrumental parts a bit Gentle Giant like. A great guitar solo in the middle section works very well and even the wahwah pedal is used. The instrumental section starting on 2.50 reminds me a bit of Alphataurs. Great!

Fumo Di Una Sigaretta has an initiate intro with pastoral vocals. It's a very gentle intro that reminds a bit of I Talk to the Wind. The drums are a tasteful. A nice symphonic ending section completes the track. Very elegant this one.

Illusione Da Poco. The first long track of the album with its nine minutes. The song reminds me of PFM and Gentle Giant with nice harmonic inventiveness. The moogs and hammonds sound great. The middle section of 4.00 is very atmospheric with again great harmonic experimentation that gives it a creepy sound at times. After this the guitars start rockin' again.

Premio Di Una Vita is also a longer track, seven minutes. The intro section is very strong with an emotional vocal melody and a distinct piano part at the end of the melody. It reminds me of Roman Empire music. This beauty. The middle section is deep purple hard rock based with some progressive elements. At 3.30 a nice piano solo reminds me of Banco, a very useful addition of classical influences. The ending section has some more progressive hard rock moments with a Purple sound. The solo's are a bit to purple, but then again, why should this be a problem? Deep Purple didn't make to many of.

Un Altro Giorno is a short ending track with a nice piano melody and pastoral vocals. The intimate symphonic land-scape work very well for Nuova Idea. Good emotional ending track.

Conclusion. Hmm.. whilst writing a review I've become even more convinced this is a very good RPI record. I sure hope I can invite others who've read this review to listen to the music themselves and perhaps write something about it. This bands deserves recognition. This a very good album with diverse influences and a professional sound. There's no weak track on the album and the production is also quite good. Four stars! Recommended to fans of the symphonic and RPI genre, Deep Purple and crossover prog. Somehow I think fans of the Dutch Kayak will also like this record very much.

friso | 4/5 |

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