ULISSE - L'ALFIERE NERO

Born from the chambers of the music conservatory in Milan, Progenesi comprised of keyboardist/pianist Giulio Stromendo, bassist Dario Giubileo, guitarist Patrik Matrone and drummer Omar Ceriotti with the first becoming the main composer of the band.With E.L.P., Genesis and Italian Prog legends as their basic influences and having a background in Classical, Jazz and Modern Music, they decided to dedicate an album to the adventures of hero of the Greek mythology Ulysses.They visited the Lacchiarella comune, where the Raffinerie Musicali were based and with the help of Eloisa Manera on violin and Issei Watanabe on cello they recorded their debut ''Ulisse l'alfiere Nero'' for the studio's label, released in 2012.

To present a story with an all instrumental sound is quite an achievement and Progenesi revisit the story of Ulysses with various moods, instrumental density and shifting tempos in an album, characterized by its evident vintage influences and the instrumental and stylistical diversity.The young group plays music with flexible inspirations.Strong Classical nuances, Jazz Fusion techniques and Heavy Prog pounds are all present here, which is both a good and a bad thing.Good, because the album is never boring, contains some excellent stylistical switches and becomes a seminar of varied instrumental Prog Rock.Bad, because it's not overly cohesive plus I have the feeling that some vocal parts could have exploded its value.Even so the combination of analog keyboards and piano with the flaming electric guitars and the modern sound of synthesizers is pretty charming and convincing with lots of impressive rhythmic parts, symphonic overtones and jazzy interludes in the process.Stromendo appears to be a lover of the Hammond organ, as this one dominates the whole album in a very 70's style.Complicated time signatures, technical efficiency and a raw power are all over the place next to some lovely piano arrangements and themes, on the other hand the melodies are rather absent, I think they would definitely add some cathartic lines if displayed.

Not quite there with the most excellent efforts of the modern Italian Prog scene, but the instrumental and composing talent of the band are things we should not deny.Plus there is some huge background for a potential masterpiece in the future, if there is any, as the updates of the band have slowed down.Warmly recommended.