CAVALLI COCCHI, LANZETTI, ROVERSI

An album that is likely to be of interest to fans of Italian progressive rock is this debut from newly formed trio Cavalli Cocchi Lanzetti Roversi. A band with considerable pedigree with the three musicians between them having played with the likes of PFM, Acqua Fragile, Moongarden and Mangala Vallis to name a few. The band features Gigi Cavalli Cocchi on drums, Bernardo Lanzetti on vocals and Cristiano Roversi on mellotron, piano and chapman stick.

Despite such strong prog credentials anyone approaching this album expecting some serious prog workouts is likely to be disappointed. The band has gone for a much mellower vibe with the emphasis on songs over musical muscle. Nevertheless the songs are beautifully and tastefully played with excellent musicianship, each playing precisely what's required of the song rather than flexing their obvious skills. Lanzetti's vocals have always been an acquired taste and is often compared to Roger Chapman of Family with that warble in his voice. I've always enjoyed his style and while his voice has clearly aged since those golden years with PFM he's still in fine form here.

Mellotron lovers will instantly recognise that distinctive sound which not surprisingly with the sparse line up of instruments plays a key role along with piano. Despite there being no guitar player in the band a succession of guest players add acoustic guitar which also plays a prominent role in the sound, played by the likes of Aldo Tagliapietra of Le Orme and Steve Hackett no less to a name a couple. The first couple of plays may leave a certain amount of indifference to the songs, I was that way myself, but after repeated plays their charms begin to shine through and I found myself really warming to them. Stick with it then, this debut has turned out to be a rewarding experience.