UOMO DI PEZZA

After the important and groundbreaking album "Collage", a definite musical step in the right direction for Italy's Le Orme, next comes this excellent follow up album "Uomo Di Pezza". Any way you look at this album, technically, emotionally, spiritually, dramatically, it is a winner.

The great thing about this record is that there are no weak or out of place elements to it. Aldo Tagliapietra's voice is as emotional and moving as ever (my not knowing the Italian language does not hamper me in appreciating his fine vocal delivery), and instrumentally, the band is firing on all six cylinders; inventive drumming by Michi dei Rossi, who always has that perfect sense of timing and dramatics, the well crafted and executed bass and six-string guitar of Aldo's, and of course great, classically inspired to the fore keys playing by Tony Pagliuca, all co-existing to make a wonderful recording. And the resultant atmosphere created by these musicians is unique in it's way, despite comparisons with Emerson, Lake and Palmer's sound.

This album is the perfect transition from the previous "Collage" to the next one, "Felona e Sorona". No look at, or appreciation of, this band would be complete without "Uomo di Pezza". Actually, no seventies prog collection, period would be complete without this masterpiece-it is that essential. 5 stars, no less.