MAXOPHONE

With such a prolific country, it is very difficult to me to choose my favorite albums, because i have a lot sometimes i could change my mind and say that i prefer this album to that one i dont know, but i believe with Maxophone is different, because i really fell in love with it since the very first listen, you probably know that my favorite album from Italy is YS by Il Balleto which i really have in another level (something personal) but the fact is that the Maxophone`s album provoked and still provokes the same feeling that i had with Ys, is just something that only you know and cannot explain, the album and the music and i did an instant "clic", hope you understand what i mean.

Sadly, Maxophone was just another "one-shot" bands that came from Italy in the 70`s, it would had been great to see them releasing another album, in order to see if they were capable to improve this masterpiece or no, that didn`t happen, but with this wonderful album i have enough.

Maxophone`s self titled album was released in 1975 and contains 8 songs, all of them made by a group of 6 magnific musicians with different ideas that later gathered together in order to create this gem of progressive rock, yes, Rock Progressivo Italiano.

"C`E a un Paese al Mondo" is the first song of the album, since the opening you will know that this is something special, despite being an opening with piano, and you may say that you have heard lots of songs with that kind of openings, the best is what continues to it, a very complex song with several changes within it, magnific musical arrangements that includes a great clarinet sound, excellent keyboards, guitars, bass and everything, the vocals are in Italian (i say this because they released the same album but with English lyrics) so if you like Italian language you will be caught in this carrousel of music, ther is no better track to open this album than this.

"Fase" has a change in the melody and the style, it reminds me a bit of Jethro Tull due to the guitars and bluesy style in the beginning, then the song turns into to a jazz oriented piece, having as well a symphonic sound on it, let me tell you that this is an instrumental song where we can appreciate the excellent musicians involved in this band, saxophone and flute are also featured here, brilliant!

"Al Mancato Completamento di una Farfalla" is the third song, this time it starts softer with a classic guitar, but thenthe flute gives it a feeling that may remind you again to Jethro Tull but in their soft side, then the vocals appear and give to it that Italian sound, then the songs changes to a faster tempo led by keyboards.

"Elzeviro" is the fourth masterpiece inside a masterpiece, again it starts a bit soft but then changes to a faster tempo, the musicianship again is excellent there are some guitar riffs that will remind you to the best guitarists from your book, this is probably one of the best songs of this album.

"Mercanti di Pazzie" has a mood of peace which is noticeable since the beginning due to the harp and then the vocals, it is a beautiful melody at the middle of the album that will lead us to the best moments.

"Antiche Conclusioni Nerge" starts with a bombastic sound, provoking a kind of happy mood, of course it changes later, some calmed moments, some heavier moments with magnific keyboards and bass this is a magnific piece, which actually would be the last one of the album if it didn`t have the extra tracks, the saxophone at the middle of this song is also excellent. So the review of the original Maxophone album would end here, of course giving to this gem 5 stars.

But i will also talk about the extra tracks which are "Il Fischio del Vapore" and "Cono di Gelato" , the first one is a nice melody with a folkish style, flutes and soft vocals, the song itself is great but i can see that this was not in the original release, there is a difference noticeable, the second extra track is another nice melody with flute and acoustic guitar, then the piano appears nad gives to it a relaxing atmosphere.

Sometimes is not easy to review your favorite albums, but when you have the courage to do it you feel very pleased, Maxophone deserves more attention, it is a must have for Italian prog fans, and even for general prog rock lovers, please listen to it, and enjoy it.

Of course the final grade is 5 stars, masterpiece!!

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