ARBEIT MACHT FREI

This debut with a very controversial name is also ear and thought-provoking as the band were left-wing oriented and very liberal in music. It was unusual for a band in Southern Europe to start an album with Arabic narrative. The typical playful uncomplicated but slightly unconventional melody with Eastern world influences, dense instrumentation and jazzy/fusion elements combined into one represent an impeccable music mosaic. On top of it, passionate sometime disharmonic-AOR vocal.

All players are masters of their instruments but the drummer, keyboard and saxophone/clarinet player stand out.

"Arbeit macht frei" is a partly jam-oriented fusion-driven track with flute,keyboard and percussions going seemingly disparate. The interplay reminds of Canterbury on one hand and Mile Davis on another. Vocal is disturbing in the concentration but is short, thakfully, before organ/synth led section follows. Certainly one of the top tracks of the album.

"Consapevelozza" is closer to RPI than most other tracks, showing also domestic influence on the band.

"Le labra del tempo" is a fantastic 3/4 or 6/8 intensive workout but also reflects in a calmer mood in the second half. Things get even faster on "240 chilometri da Smirne", this is fusion of high calibre and not many other bands from Italy could compete in that space (Dedalus or Arti e Mestieri comee to mind). No vocals here.

The last track has a great early 70's drum pattern, however the second half turns into an experimental music of not everybody's taste.

In terms of intensity, this may be the best Area album but compositionally and instrumentally, it is slightly better than other next 4 albums and on par with "Crac!".