VEDDA TRIBE

A short-lived trio from Crema, Italy, found in 1999 by keyboardist/bassist Mauro Pamiro, guitarist/singer Filippo Guerini and drummer Flavio Leva.Everything went fast for Vedda Tribe, as the same year the band was signed by Lizard Records, eventually recording and releasing their self-titled debut before the end of 1999.

Unlike the mass of Italian groups, Vedda Tribe were more experimental with Avant-Garde hints dominating their sound, which was basically KING CRIMSON-influenced with many complex themes.The opening ''Il Passagio Del Mar Rosso'' is a mix of smooth BRUDFORD-like Fusion with some nice guitar workouts by Guerini and dynamic, complicated and rhythmic Avant-Prog with heavy guitars and piano on the forefront.''Nebbia Di Lilliput'' opens with a hypnoric bass/synth-driven, almost Kraut Rock-ish theme to become a groovy beast in the process as the tune progresses with a powerful rhythm section and the frenetic keyboards of Pamiro leading the way.''Hypercube'' is another dynamic piece, much more diverse than the opening tracks, with a Fusion style until the middle led by nice guitar work and a delicate piano pace, but what follows is a raw yet interesting attack of synths, guitars, bass and drums in a Heavy/Psych mood.''Democrazy'' is definitely the more complex composition of the album with a strong KING CRIMSON flavor, full of endless breaks, schizophenic guitar exercises, atonal piano and a light ending section to calm things down.''Etemenanki'' shows a return to the flexible BRUDFORD-like Fusion style of ''Il Passagio Del Mar Rosso'', before the distorted voice of Guerini takes over supported by a light piano tune, which gets more dynamic and Avant- sounding until the end with the rise of the bass lines and the addition of synthesizers.

Different sounding and very interesting work from this Italian trio, which is sure to please all fans of Jazz/Fusion, Heavy/Psych or Avant-Prog as well as anyone into the extreme adventures of KING CRIMSON.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.