QUELLA VECCHIA LOCANDA

One of only two albums produced by this most fascinating of groups, Quella Vecchia Locanda's self-titled debut is an intense and hugely-inventive slice of genre-bending Italian prog jam-packed with enough ideas to fill any number of albums. Many fans consider the group's follow-up, 'Il Tempo Della Gioia' to be the superior recording, but this reviewer thinks differently. Whilst QVL's sophomore effort is also a great album, it is their eponymously-titled offering that shows just what an incredible bunch of musicians they really were. From the striking artwork to the plethora of instruments on show, 'Quella Vecchia Locanda' is a thoroughly exiciting listen, filled with unexpected musical twists and, at times, sublime instrumental passages. There isn't a dud song to be found, and the album more than deserves it's place at the head of Italian prog table, sitting proudly next to the likes of PFM's 'Per Un Amico', Le Orme's 'Felona E Sorona' and Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso's 'Darwin!'. A genuine genre classic. STEFAN TURNER, LONDON, 2010