DIETRO LE SBARRE

After the demise of the folk rock group La Famiglia degli Ortega,three of their members moved on to form a new folk-oriented band.So,ASSEMBLEA MUSICA TEATRALE were born in 1975 in Genova with Bruno Biggi, Alberto Canepa and Gianni Martini being the more experienced members, having played with La Famiglia degli Ortega.As with the later, the band included a large number of musicians and released their first LP ''Dietro le sbarre'' in 1976 on Dischi Dello Zodiaco.

The album is mostly in the typical Italian singer/songwriter style with plenty of vocals and a relaxed atmosphere,not far from the sound of ANGELO BRANDUARDI and MAURO PELOSI.A more careful listenings though will provide your ears with obscure moog synths and orchestral strings,among the familiar acoustic melodies of the album.It's these weird music moments where the band closes enough to avant-gard than folk.Also in a couple of moments electric guitar,bass and drums seem to take over offering some minutes of proggish folk.Don't get very excited as most of the album follows the tradition Italian folk tunes,but some of the material in here is really interesting.

The band released two more albums,''Marylin'' in 1977 and ''Il songo di Alice'' two years later,before officially disbanding in 1981.This later stuff is said to be more in the vein of commercial pop/folk with little prog interest.However ''Dietro le sbaree'' should possible appeal to fans of folk/psych/prog rock...2.5 stars.