NOTABENE

Incredible, here's just another fine new Italian progrock band, what a prolific scene! 1. Terra Madre (6:50) : It starts with majestic violin work and warm Italian vocals. Then a mid-tempo featuring a lush and pleasant symphonic rock atmosphere with delicate synthsizer flights, sensitive electric guitar and wonderful violin. The music often brings fellow Italian band Abiogenesi on my mind.

2. Danza Nel Fuoco (7:00) : First a mellow climate with interplay by soft trumpet and piano, followed by a dynamic and bombastic atmosphere delivering powerful organ waves, heavy electric guitar riffs, fiery trumpet and spectacular synthesizer runs, very entertaining!

3. Effimero Regno Di Plastica (9:13) : Again dynamic and bombastic music featuring a catchy rhythm. Lots of great interplay and good soli on organ, violin and guitar, the Italians vocals sound strong with a pleasant, often emotional undertone. Halfway the climate turns from 'heavy progressive' into dreamy with the sound of a string- ensemble, classical orchestrations, choir and violin. The final part is more dynamic and contains wonderful, very sensitive electric guitar, fat synthesizer flights and moving work on the violin.

4. Maestrale (7:48) : This track starts mellow with fine piano, flute and violin. Then many changing climates, from dreamy to propulsive featuring bombastic keyboards (organ and synthesizers). The Italian vocals are strong.

5. Rosa Bianca (Suite) (13:55) : This is Notabene their 'magnum opus', it contains lots of shifting moods, the focus is on swinging Fender Rhodes piano sound and powerful trumpet play. The interplay between the musicians is good, the rhythm-section sounds dynamic. In the end a beautiful, strongly build-up electric guitar solo, from compelling to fiery.

6. Altopiano (7:52) : After a few minutes of silence this 'hidden track' starts, it delivers a great variety, from sparkling piano and fiery electric guitar to a piece with almost Brasilian carnival music!

If you are up to the wonderful Italian progrock scene, I am sure Notabene will please you!