FRUTTI PER KAGUA

"Frutti per Kagua'", a concept album about the tricky negotiations of Indian lands by the white man, is the sole album by Italian ensemble Capitolo 6. This band shows a varied assortment of family airs with other one- or two-shoot bands such as Raccomandata Ricevuta Ritorno, Campo di Marte and Garybaldi, as well as some traces of early Ossana. The album's repertoire comprises three tracks, with the first half strictly occupied by the namesake suite. This piece kicks off with a strong bluesy rock section that may remind us of early Jumbo-meets-"Benefit" Jethro Tull. The bucolic section that follows gives room for the flute to show off a bit, and the same can be said about the electric guitar lead (which is very emotionally charged, by the way). Once all the instruments shut up for a couple of seconds, the emergence of classicist organ arpeggios build up a momentary crescendo that gives way to a progressive rondo motif, upon which the flute and organ state interesting dialogues. This section occupies a considerable time scope of the suite, and ultimately, its abrupt end leads to yet another bucolic acoustic portion. The last 30 seconds bring a passionate coda. This suite is the band's definitive manifesto, and all in all, I understand why it is the most acclaimed track by Capitolo 6 connoisseurs (I do not agree, as I'll explain later). The album's second half begins with 'Grande Espiritu', which happens to be an OK acoustic ballad: the main motif is catchy indeed, but not really brilliant. The last two tracks are the most colorful in the album, and they are certainly my personal favorites. 'Il Tramonto di un Popolo' starts with a brief chant and drum rolls, before the instrumentation brings a solid alternation of furiously rocking passages and pastoral ones. The diversity that took 18 minutes to develop and settle for the suite is here comprised in 5 ½ without losing an ounce of tension. The closer 'L'Ultima Notte' bears a very similar vibe, albeit with bigger doses of expansion and fluidity, which is fine for its 11 ½ minute span. The drummer works efficiently in the basis while the lead guitarist delivers what are arguably his best solos in the album. The last rocking moments are filled with sarcastic gibberish: a touch of Zappa in this exposure of Mediterranean psychedelia. Capitolo 6 is a very good item in any good prog collection.