PICCOLA RAPSODIA DELL'APE

In 1980 Le Orme released the follow up of "Florian". The formula is the same, a classical acoustic quartet. Germano Serafin (violin, charango, bouzuki, 12 strings guitar) is the fourth band' members since Tolo Marton left after recording "Smogmagica" (1975).

A collection of 8 short songs, for just 33 minutes. Not a memorable album, not at the same level of the previous one. More un-inspired than that, sometimes it appears to lack in imagination.

I think the only one that deserves to be appreciated more is the instrumental title track. An acoustic-baroque gem, with a remarkable vibraphone played by Michi De Rossi (or Giuseppe, as he used to be called at the time). The music is very interesting and manages to describe a little bee's flight. I'm not the first to notice a vague Gentle Giant's influence on this track. Violin and delicate cello are also played in good mixture.

The other tunes show the band approaching quickly to the pop music. Sadly "Florian" seems to be very far.

1.5 - 2 stars.