UOMO DI PEZZA

Le Orme are one of the most popular bands from the Italian progressive rock scene. Their music is very warm, sweet and just a tad melancholic. A delicate balance that could easily turn towards the sentimental but Le Orme walk the thin line between mellow and syrupy with a confident grace.

Le Orme are often compared to ELP, and while I would admit that they sure must have taken a lease on some of ELP's equipment, the resulting music sounds very different to me. The flamboyant tendencies of ELP pop up occasionally but the focus is fundamentally on the sensitive qualities of the songwriting. The featured organs and keyboards are applied with restraint and never show off their obvious dexterity. Also the rhythm section is very tasty. The solid drums and bass gives the songs a strong backbone that prevents them from veering off into all too romantic directions. Given the soft and sweet vocals, that tight rhythms section is more then welcome. There is no electric guitar which adds to the sonic similarities with ELP, but the music sits closer to a mix of classical renaissance with early King Crimson.

Besides the fact that it is very short, I have only one quibble with this album. As you may know I have a firm grudge against the bee-buzzing tone of the type of early synths that are used here. My resentment in that particular area is tested on a number of occasions but I'm sure it won't be a problem for most prog listeners. Besides, the emphasis is mostly on the more organic sounding instruments such as the drums, bass, organs, mellotron, piano and acoustic guitars.

Uomo Di Pezza is one of the most delightful romantic prog albums that I have heard. While not amongst my current RPI favourites, this is sure an album that will continue to find its way to the heavily contested place in one of the audio devices here.