THE GROWING NUMBER

Pre-Zenit/Shakary Swiss group, formed sometime in the 80's around the Ticino area with Luigi Pedruzzi on drums, Andrea De Carli on vocals, Gianni Zanella on guitar/synthesizers and Moreno Antognini on bass.This line-up recorded the rare nowadays vinyl album ''Images to remember'' in 1990, after which De Carli and Antognini left the band.Pedruzzi and Zanella introduced Paolo ''Scandy'' Scandella on vocals/bass/keyboars and prepared a second album under the title ''The growing number''.Drum parts were recorded at the fall of 93' at Flying Studios in Gravellona Toce, the rest of the album was recorded around the same time at Rehearsal Studios in Giubiasco.In two tracks the trio was helped on keyboards by Ivo Bernasconi (later with Zenit) and Philip Hubert of Clepsydra fame.

''The growing number'' sounds exactly as expected by a pre-SHAKARY/ZENIT band, that has not fully matured but revealed some excellent, talented musicians.The first album of CHANGES is said to follow a SAGA-like direction and ''The growing number'' continues in the same vein of easy-listening AOR/Prog, containing also some very bombastic keyboards as met in the future in the albums of SHAKARY.The aim of the band was to produce some catchy choruses and decent melodies via a compact songwriting, pleasant grooves and clean vocals and they did a very nice job.The longer tracks sound a bit more elaborate with a mood for a sound upgrade through the use of symphonic keyboards and some changes between fast and laid-back tunes, while even the singing becomes more flexible.There is an 80's flavor apparent throughout the album, especially on some thin synthesizer solos, but the listener will be rewarded with well-crafted compositions with a few dramatic instrumental parts, like the magnificent guitar work on ''A chance to win'' or ''Human nature''.The short pieces are closer to Melodic Rock/AOR with a few Arena Rock elements akin to early MYSTERY, passing from sharp guitar solos and atmospheric synthesizers to emotional vocals and memorable choruses.

The sequel of Changes is more or less known.Pedruzzi became a long-time member of Zenit, while Scandy was the leader of Shakary, not to mention his involvement with Clepsydra lyricalwise.

Decent work of AOR-friendly Neo Prog, filled with efficient guitar textures and some great, symphonic keys.Recommended.