FRAGMENTS OF LIGHT

This beautiful region of Toscana in Italy not only produces some of the best wine to meet in this mighty planet or is filled with magnificent grassy landscapes,but can offer a rock fan a variety of musical adventures as interpretated in the case of SENSATIONS' FIX.They were formed and led by the charismatic personality of keyboardist/guitarist/composer Franco Falsini,who had earlier played with the rock band Noi Tre and the lesser known act Le Madri Superiori.Partners on this journey were Italo-American bassist Richard Ursillo and American drummer Keith Edwrards.First album ''Fragments of light'' (surprisingly an Italian album comes out with an English title) was released in 1974 and succedded a double CD re-issue in 1992 and 1998 on the same company.

STYLE: Unlike most of the Italian bands of the time,SENSATIONS' FIX played neither Symphonic Rock nor Jazz-tinged Rock.Reportedly the trio was isolated in a farm in Florence and produced trully Psychedelic/Space/Electronic music with a cosmic aura and a Kraut feeling.Most of the tracks are totally instrumental based the moog synth attacks and spacey guitars of Falsini in a rare psychedelic trip through the universe.In fact analog keys are everywhere,making the album's sound close to Berlin-school Electronic music.Vocals?No thank you,except some hypnotic chant-like parts and Falsini distorted vocal lines.

INFLUENCES/SOUNDS LIKE: What about a bizzare collaboration between ASH RA TEMPEL and TANGERINE DREAM with MIKE OLDFIELD??!!!!

PLUS: This is an album clearly based on its atmosphere and SENSATIONS' FIX indeed manage to transform the listener into cosmic adventures filled with psychedelic colour themes.Falsini's work on keys is absolutely proffesional with changing tempos,from hypnotic and dreamy soft passages to grandiose dominant parts.Guitar work is also very good with obvious OLDFIELD-ian influences and Falsini playing in the same high level.

MINUS: I assume the album can be a total failure for those not into deep electronics or trippy keyboard sounds and actually it's not an everyday's listening,as it demands a specific mood for its full appreciation.Keith Edwards and Richard Ursillo are hardly noticeable throughout the album,as Falsini's work on keys/guitars overcomes the rhythm section and the sound can get a bit monotonous after repeated listenings.

WILL APPEAL TO: Daring music fans,lovers of Electronic Prog and freaks of spacey soundscapes.

CONCLUSION/RATING: Among the ground-breaking releases of the Italian school of prog,''Fragments of light'' is a good album of its style with nice work both on keyboards and guitars,but it is headed for a limited percentage even among the Progressive Rock fans.Fairly enjoyable,I will rate this one with 3 stars.