GLEEMEN

This early version of "Garybaldi" works needs your attention.

Of course, we are talking here of some oldies of prog. The very early seventies. But wasn't it one of the best period in prog history? This band though is more on the heavy side and should have made their entry into the heavy prog genre instead of this RPI melting pot.

The psyche and upbeat "Farfalle Senza Pois" is certainly as brilliant as some of the best Anglo-American of the style (even if the latter ones were producing their work some two years prior to this one). I won't tell you that this album is an absolute jewel or must own: some tracks are quite forgettable like "Shilaila Dea Dell' Amore".

But if you are looking to some wild and heavy psychedelia, "Spirit" is probably a moment that you should share with "Gleemen". A highlight. Huge and heavy organ, wild guitar and superb drumming. What else? If you are keen on the great "Atomic Rooster", you should be interested in this album, for sure.

The guitar work from Bambi Fossati is also excellent and it is no wonder if Lise mentioned Hendrix or TYA in their bio.

The filiation with the heavy and bluesy "Hendrix" sounds are more than obvious while " Chi Sei Tu, Uomo" is being performed.It almost sound as a live track. Only that the percussive punch from the master is quite "ice-creamed" with a piano-bar sort of solo.

The next track is just a great performance: wild and heavy keys, huge drums and superb bass. The beat is really grandiose. When this type of song is being played, it is quite difficult to remain seated? Just think that this album was released by an Italian band in 1970. Very few of the Italian greats were effective by these pre-historical days, and only therefore "Gleemen" should be rewarded.

The band is even melodic during "Bha-Tha-Hella" which is a heavy psychedelic affair with some fine vocals I have to say. Again, early Purple and Hendrix are quite present on the bill during "Clakson".

If you are interested in the psyche sounds of the late middle sixties, this album definitely deserves your attention. It is not truly innovative since this musical source had been already approached some three years ahead. Still: as I have said, Italian bands were only showing their heads in those remote days.

This is quite a good album, not shy of lots coming from the West coast or the London underground at the same period (or somewhat earlier as I have mentioned already). Most of the songs are enjoyable but "Dei O Confusione" holds this little extra which makes it one of my fave out here.

Heavy-jazz is featured in "Induzione 1 & 2". This is the weakest part of this album, but the whole was such a good surprise that I can only recommend this work.

Three stars.

A lesser-known Italian Prog band, Gleemen (or I Gleemen or The Gleemen(?)), another term for a "wandering minstrel" [I just had to know, as the word certainly didn't look like Italian], released their at one time sole studio album, self-titled, in 1970. Their 2013-released return to the studio is much better regarded here on ProgArchives. I'm certainly intrigued.

They have a very classic [early] Italian Prog sound, there right from the start, featuring dramatic sung-in-Italian vocals (quite a good lead vocalist, I must say) and post-Psychedelic, fairly symphonic instrumentation. Where they may differ from their far more popular peers is they, as you will read below, introduce a hard, Heavy Metal inflection. The band really is quite talented and, in general, I do appreciate and at times really like their sound.

A solid opener we have in "Farfalle senza pois", this fits right in with what I described above. More psychedelic and spacy in nature is what follows, "Shilaila dela dell'amore". Very low and slow, this'n.

"Spirit" is a pretty classic, almost jam-band-esque early Prog number. I say 'Jam-band', as it rolls along in a pretty static form and they noodle on top. Not bad. Certainly ends strong.

Then we have the blazing intro to "Chi sei tu, uomo" with heavy Blues Rock guitar. Really a very excellent performance from Bambi Fossati [What a fantastic name!]. The Blues continues on, vocal verse enters in and then a piano solo, interestingly enough. The most compelling song thus far, I'm still not overly drawn, as this is merely an Acid/Blues Rock number and... I'm here for Prog dammit!

Back to what sounds a little more proggy (thanks to organ, mostly) is the still very Blues (if not R'n'B-inspired) "Un'amica". The bass is quick and, really, the instrumentation in general is quite good. Approaching minute 4 is most appealing. "Bha-tha-hella" continues on in the early proggin', but is more low and slow. Not a whole lot here. Some of the organ playing is nice and of interest.

Then back to some... basically Heavy Metal [revealed to be far more progressive as it goes] on the intro to "Clackson" [Who?!]. Fuzzy yet clear lead guitar and some bright, fresh organ playing on this. Very very cool. Perhaps will appeal to fans of early Deep Purple! I also love the falsetto backing vocals on this'n. Sweet.

Unfortunately following the excellent "Clackson", it's business as usual with "Dei o confusione". "Induzione parte I e parte II" has a pretty solid main riff, but also offers little; the guitar solo is fire though. And finaly, "Divertimento": a psychedelic number. Not overly interesting, I guess. I think I'm a little burnt out on this album...