LA SORGENTE

The mid-70's showed an emerging movement in Christian Rock on Italian grounds and bands such as Quel Giorno Di Uve Rosse and Genfuoco had an opportunity to release an album related to Christian themes.One of the obscure labels to release such kind of works towards the 80's was Edizioni Uomini Nuovi with unknown bands like Alba Nuova and Cristo e La Risposta eventually record a light Prog/Xian LP.One of those groups were La Sorgente with Walter Destri on bass, Stefano Martinelli on flute/backing vocals, Franco Rossetti on percussion, Daniele Giuliani on violin/backing vocals, Pino Carella on vocals/keyboards and Bruno Raia on guitars/vocals.Their sole release ''Trasparente'' saw the light in 1981.

Totally acoustic, the album has a very calm and relaxing atmosphere throughout, with certain Folk and Classical influences, though some of the material maintains a soft Symphonic Rock character due to the careful amount of keyboards and flutes.Half about of the tracks swirl around a folky mood and an intense singer/songwriter approach.These are dominated by romantic singing, often with multiple vocal harmonies, and acoustic guitars, but the use of flutes and violin adds an extra instrumental dimension.The structures though remain simple and accesible with a ballad-like sound and no particular surprises.The rest of the compositions are closer to a prog fan's likings.Do not expect something bombastic or even demanding, but La Sorgente managed to come up with a few orchestral arrangements, where also pop aesthetics have some space, but also some pure symphonic instrumental sections with strong use of piano and keyboards, mainly moog synthesizers and organ.The presence of flutes and violin extends to these tracks as well and it would not be an excess to label them as Acoustic Symphonic Rock, as the rhythm section helps providing this light rock attitude.

Of course La Sorgente soon faded away, as even this light proggish material was rather too much for a country (as almost all the rest of the world) heading with big steps towards crappy Pop and Disco experiences.

A constant battle between Folk music and mellow symphonic soundscapes, ''Trasparente'' is not exactly what a prog fan waits for but the good arrangements definitely have some decent musical value.A great item for a collector's shelf but strictly recommended only to those, for who Il Balleto Di Bronzo or Museo Rosenbach are a bit too hard, prefering the very soft side of Italian Prog.Not to add that this one of the hardest Italian Prog records around, that hits constanly triple-digit numbers at bids...2.5 stars.