SOPHYA BACCINI'S ARADIA: RUNNIN' WITH THE WOLVES

The Italian prog artist Sophya Baccini is indeed an interesting case. Before her solo career she was in a prog metal band Presence and guested on albums by Osanna and Delirium among others. Her bilingual debut Aradia (2009) was classically influenced, dramatic prog full of mysterious atmospheres and many-sided arrangements, all crowned by her beautiful voice. It was followed by the William Blake inspired album Big Red Dragon (2013) that featured legendary guests such as Sonja Kristina (Curved Air), Christian Decamps (Ange) and Lino Vairetti (Osanna). It took ten years to get to the third album, but it was worth the wait.

The group named after the debut album consists of female musicians only. Technically it's of course quite irrelevant, except for the wonderful vocal harmonies gracing the album in many places. The regular rock instrumentation is extended to feature also violin and alto saxophone, and the piano, played by both Sophya herself and Marilena Striano, is essential in the sound. All pieces are written by Sophya and co-arranged with the whole band.

I invented this combination to give an idea of the music: Kate Bush (from The Kick Inside to Never For Ever) + Van Der Graaf Generator + Curved Air + classic RPI bands with a violin, such as Quella Vecchia Locanda or PFM, + an operatic, Gothic-flavoured intensity. There's a breath-taking feminine energy, both witch- like and sensual, that justifies the Kate Bush association. And yes, the playing sometimes has a VDGG-like magic.

The title track is fascinating with its repeated drum fills in the beginning, the wailing violin, the layered vocals and the sense of drama slightly resembling Toyah. 'La Mia Soluzione' is also pretty intense, filled with a vintage RPI feel and some VDGG edge. Wow! The relatively slow-tempo and yet highly dramatic 'Ordalia' is mostly sung in English and contains beautiful sonic details.

The shortest and most melodic piece 'Never' is charmingly dreamy, and the piano reminds me of Kate Bush. The 9-minute epic 'Continua' is another winner (on this gorgeous album with no weak monents at all) and gives a lot of room for soprano sax. But the cherry on the top are the seductive vocals and vocal harmonies. 'Gargantua' has marvelous melodies. The closing track 'Sleepin' With the Lioness' is the calmest of the set.

I am fascinated by this album. The production is crystal clear, so you can just sit back and let the music take you into an exciting journey for 40 minutes.