OPERA PRIMA

This album is one of the many fine one-offs from the Italian prog scene. Let me just say this. If you like the Mellotron, this is a must-have. Easily one of the greatest Mellotron albums of all time. This is what '70's Mellotron drenched prog is supposed to sound like. Despite being comprised of just keyboards and drums, the orchestration on this album is very full and the music is complete with no other instruments necessary. Rustichelli is a monster, in my opinion in the same league as Emerson, but not as gaudy (or maybe gaudy in a different, Italian way). Emerson probably would have made a mess of this, god love him, but Rustichelli handles the keyboard duties in a very tasteful way and it is all about the songs (which are great). His vocals are rather suspect, though, but quite effective. Bordini turns in a masterful performance, we will see him again on the magnificent Cherry Five album after which he left to pursue a studio sessions career. I don't know whatever became of Mr Rustichelli. I highly recommend this album. Did I mention it has a lot of really good Mellotron???