I SUONI IN UNA SFERA (OST)

The short discography of this band is difficult to follow. This album was released in 1992 (and is their latest one), but all songs were recorded in 1974. Originally, these were meant to be a soundtrack and you can feel so when listening to this album.

There are no highlights here. Music goes from pastoral and tranquil moods (for most of it) to some jazzy parts. At times the flute kept me awaken (I am a flute maniac as you might know) but very few (two) songs are really worth.

The whole of this album sounds really like the same stuff. Since it is almost an all instrumental album, their Italian origins can't really be appreciated. Even if at times, some delicate and typical breaks will shine; like during "Eftus". But this is already the tenth track from this album (out of twelve).

The start of "Favole Antiche" is a total "Epitaph" rip off. It is the first song with vocals and also the longest one from this album. By far the most achieved number (a real song actually). Very smooth and quiet. I can't find a closer inspiration than the very early and symphonic KC to compare this song. Some improv as well, but organized I should say. Interesting.

Both "Eftus" and "Favole Antiche" are featured on another of their album ("Principe Di Un Giorno") but in a different version. So, there is really no reason to get hold of this one.

Two stars. Sorry for the ones who have posted five stars rating (but with no comment).

In February 74' Celeste recorded another work, intended to become the soundtrack of a movie by Enry Fiorini, entitled ''I suoni in una sfera''.All tracks were composed by Ciro Perrino, while Celeste were helped by Marco Tudini on sax, flutes and percussion.No reference about the movie around net indicates that this film was never published, propably this was the reason the album of Celeste also never saw the light at the time.However it was released in 1992 on the established Mellow Records label of Mauro Moroni and Ciro Perrino, which counted just one year of life at that point.

This was another beautiful and ethereal offering of pastoral Italian Prog by Celeste, where the light Classical melodies are surrounded by dreamy folky references, sometimes quite close to PANGEA's ''Invasori'' album.The original soundtrack appears to consist of the first nine and very short tracks of ''I suoni in una sfera''.Instrumental, mellow and symphonic oriented Progressive Folk, characterized by nice acoustic textures, calm sax leads and smooth flute melodies, that often becomes very dramatic with the clever use of synthesizers, harsichord and some more dark keyboard soundscapes.The only vocals around are a couple of emotional choir lines, but the music will reward the listener with plenty of intense and atmospheric moments.The last three tracks appear to have been composed by Perrino, Schiaviollini and Lagorio, propably as bonus material and not originally intended to become part of the movie's soundtrack.Stylistically though these are on par with the rest of the album, maybe a bit closer to PREMIATA FORNERIA's MARCONI unique vibes.These feature long acoustic passages with tremendous flute parts, a great sax and violin solo and strong keyboards lines in evidence, resulting to three pieces of relaxed, jazzy Italian Symphonic Rock for fans of atmospheric soundscapes.

This originally unreleased album of Celeste just strengthens the image of the group, which should have been one of the most consistent and professional acts of the time.Propably a bit lightweight for fans of more energetic listenings, still ''I suoni in una sfera'' has its own power through this ethereal, instrumental approoach.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.

"I Suoni In Una Sfera" is the 3rd full-length studio album by Italian progressive rock act Celeste. The album was released through Mellow Records in 1992. Tracks 1-9 were recorded in February 1974 (all composed by Ciro Perrino) and some sources say they formed a part of the soundtrack for a motion picture titled "I suoni in una sfera" written and directed by Enry Fiorini. I have neither found proof of the existence of the movie nor the director, so until I´m made wiser, I´m not sure they exist. What I do know, is that the tracks are selections from two various artists compilation albums released by Magma records in 1976 ("Musica Del Mare" and "Sensazioni D'Estate"). Tracks 10-12 are unreleased recordings from Celeste´s vault. Two of them are demo recordings of "Eftus" and "Favole Antiche", which are both tracks which appeared on Celeste´s 1976 debut album in completed studio versions.

Although the existence of the "I suoni in una sfera" movie may be disputed, tracks 1-9 on the album do feature a soundtrack atmosphere. They are subdued and relatively simple progressive rock tracks, using elements from both classical music and folk. As the material were written and recorded around the same time as the material which ended up on Celeste´s debut album, there are of course some similarities, but "I Suoni In Una Sfera" is generally slightly less interesting than the material featured on the debut album. It´s warm, organic, and mellow progressive rock, but it´s also slightly uneventful and at times bordering repetitive, which of course makes sense if the material were recorded to be used as a soundtrack to a movie.

The ambient nature of the music probably won´t please every progressive rock fan out there, but if you crave something nice and soothing on the ears and just want to relax and not have to think and analyse too much on what you hear, "I Suoni In Una Sfera" is a great little album. Sure at times it has a tendency to become background music, but it´s not a major issue and most of the time the pleasant organic instrumentation and the simple pretty melodies save the day. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.