MADAME ZELLE

"Madame Zelle" (or just Mata Hari) is fresh Italian Prog album which attracted me by it's a bit unusual cover art. I am not a fan of RPI , unless it's an Area album. But I can listen that music time to time, just to stay informed what happens there in sweet and dreamy shores of ancient seas.

From very first sounds of this album I just returned back to my old unanswered question: is this pleasant,sweet and well rounded music prog at all? And after repeated listening, I (as almost always) just left this question unanswered for myself. Yes, this music has many prog attributes: plenty of strings, neo-classic arrangements, not too simple compositions structures, etc. From another side, I am absolutely sure, that we have plenty of similar (non-Italian) artists as Conqueror around the world, and no-one will never ever suggest them for addition to PA. We name them contemporary inteligent pop, but hardly have even idea they are connected with progressive rock music.

Now, back to album's music. Very pleasant female pop-vocal, competent arrangements, plenty of flute and strings, rich orchestrated sound. Nice melodies, really nice - in fact, many songs could be played on radio or participate on San Remo fest. Tasteful, quality and not boring art-pop Italy is known for decades.

Don't think my (as stranger's) opinion is interesting for RPI fans. But for all others - really nice art-pop album, with symphonic prog influences, modern enough not to remind you one of thousand Italian antique museums, but with all attributes of best Italian pop-music : soulful, melodic, well arranged and orchestrated, with well balanced, almost polished sound.Good soundtrack for your next weekend in Lignano.