CORTE DEI MIRACOLI

Despite making it into the top 100 RPI albums (just) here on PA I don't hear the name Corte Dei Miracoli mentioned much. That's a shame as while this eponymous and only album from the band (unless you include the 1992 released Dimenzione Onirica, which was a collection of early demos) is not a classic, it's certainly worthy of investigation to all but those with only a passing interest in the genre.

Corte Dei Miracoli produce a lush symphonic sound with jazz elements thrown in here and there. The music often has a melancholic feel with strong melodies and notable for a dual keyboard line-up with no guitar. The five compositions are to a large extent busy and quite complex, the most obvious reference being Banco, though it has to be said not quite in their league. Nevertheless this is an enjoyable album with a high standard of musicianship and well above average vocal work sung in Italian, naturally, as all great RPI albums with one or two exceptions are.

For those who've exhausted the first division of Italian prog bands and still hungry for more, this 1976 release is one you should get round to sooner or later. As I said earlier, not a classic but still a very good addition to any Italian prog collection. 3 ½ stars.