CANE DI SCHIENA

CALOMITO are a five piece band out of Italy with violin / viola, bass, guitar, drums and trombone filling out the sound.The bass and guitar players add synths on certain tracks and the bass player also adds trumpet on one track.There are some guest sax and vocals as well but this is almost 100 % instrumental. This was recorded in the summer and fall of 2009, mixed in the spring of 2010, and mastered by the one and only Udi Koomran in Isreal in the Winter of 2010. And a big thankyou to Man With Hat (Phil) for bringing this album up in one of the threads on this site.

"Bella Lee" has an aggressive intro then it settles in. I like the angular guitar at one point then it picks up but the tempo will shift often on this one. Great track and a top three. "Parliamone" is mellow to start then the violin comes in after a minute followed by trombone. Some nice bass 2 1/2 minutes in then the guest sax joins in.Violin is back with some intricate drum work.This song keeps changing and evolving. "Infraditi" opens with female soprano vocals then the music kicks in quickly. Violin, trombone and bass standout. Some intensity before 1 1/2 minutes. A calm follows with guitar, bass and drums then the violin joins in and it picks up. I like the sound after 6 minutes with the drums, guitar and synths.

"Fungo" is a good uptempo track and fairly powerful too. It does settle some before 2 minutes into an avant mode. It settles even more then it picks up with violin after 5 minutes. "Cane Di Schiena" is relaxing to start as violin joins in. It settles right down before 3 minutes.Violin is back 4 1/2 minutes in as it gets fuller until it becomes quite powerful. "Pappa Irreale" has a funny rhythm to it that is the focus. "Antenna" is a top three for me. Weird vocals to start with a beat.The vocals stop as the sound builds. It settles back around 2 minutes but the tempo continues to shift. Great sound before 4 1/2 minutes and later at 6 minutes as it builds.

"Klez" has this rhythm that comes and goes that reminds me of RADIOHEAD of all bands. Lots of strings too. Good song. "Max Dembo" is the other top three. A sample of street noise to start then the horns, a beat and more take over. It's laid back as violin joins in. It turns somewhat heavier 2 1/2 minutes in then intense and avant before 4 minutes until 6 1/2 minutes in when suddenly the birds are chirping. It stays pastoral until the end.

These guys seem to be picking up where STORMY SIX left off so many years ago. A solid 4 stars.