ROBERTO COLOMBO

It's interesting to read the two reviews already submitted for this album and not see the words "Weather Report."

I think that's the first and foremost direction from which this album originates. Add some Zappa-styled fusion and a certain Mediterranean flavor throughout and you'll have a basic idea of what is on the menu here.

I tend to be a pretty big fan of Italian jazz-rock as I think many of the groups used melody as their springboards and did not let the endless "I am the best soloist on my instrument of all time" mentality overtake. I also think Soft Machine and Nucleus were as important to groups like Perigeo and Agora as were Mahavishnu Orchestra and Return To Forever. Letting melodies develop and breath, the use of wordless vocals and so forth played a role in what appeals to me about some of the "fusion" to come out of 70s Italy.

This is probably more an album for those inclined to appreciate the American jazz-rock approach. The playing is tremendous throughout, but I'm often left wondering about the overall sonic goals. Speaking of sonics, the original production on this was clearly tremendous but I think the CD was no-noised and probably sourced from the LP. I have the jewel case version on Sony but I would assume this is a clone of the earlier released BMG mini lp version. My bet is that it's been boosted with treble as well, so given the original LP isn't that expensive, you may wish to track that down if this one hits the spot for you.

Roberto's second album continues with that "lights out" instrumental work from the debut but he has a lot more guests helping out this time. The style has changed as well as we get very little of that JRF flavour and much more of an orchestral / classical vibe. So yeah i'm not enjoying this one nearly as much.

"Botte Da Orbi" is all over the place as they stop and go on a dime. At times this is orchestral, at times jazzy. Operatic vocals before 3 minutes. "Ascolta Si Fa Sera" has some killer drumming and strange vocals. "Fiato Ale Trombo" has horns, drums and bass that seem to blast in and out. Vocals before 3 minutes but not for long. "Dai Non Fare Il Romantico" is led by keyboards and flute early then it picks up after 2 minutes and you can hear a conversation in the background. It settles back 3 1/2 minutes in.

"Alegher Alegher" opens with a child's laughter then this intricate yet powerful sound takes over. Orchestral is the word. Violin leads then back to the orchestral sounds. Sax leads after 4 minutes. "Danza Disumana" has deep vocals and drums. Flute then sax before 1 1/2 minutes. Strange vocal expressions 3 minutes in. "Il Ritorno Di U Kembe" opens with vocal melodies then the music kicks in. Sax before 2 minutes with prominant drums. Some nice bass then back to the horns. "Fine Del Trentatre" is the short concluding track that has flute and orchestral sounds to start then the vocals join in. The vocals stop and it gets fuller.

I just didn't really enjoy this one which is surprising considering how much i liked his debut.

What an impressive release this one is. I wasn't prepared to hear JRF or such great sound quality but this has both in spades. And the musicianship blew me away. Lots of guests helping Roberto out including three from NUOVA IDEA along with PERIGEO's sax player. The music is anything but straight-up JRF either as we get an adventerous almost avant flavour here at times. I did think of Zappa a couple of times as well. An amazing release really. This was Roberto's first studio album released in 1976 and my favourite of the two he has honoured us with.

"Sono Pronto" opens with some very upfront drumming that brings to mind ARTI + MESTIERI right away then the bass, violin and more start to come and go. Piano then leads. "Caccia Alla Volpe" has more outbursts of sound that come and go before a rhythm settles in. The keyboards become prominant and are amazing. Violin after 3 1/2 minutes. Operatic vocals follow as the music calms right down. Drums are back before 6 minutes and the sax follows. A calm after 9 minutes then it kicks back in before 10 minutes. Fantastic track ! "Entreneuse" is nice and heavy with sax reminding me of "Islands" era KING CRIMSON. It settles back then the sax returns before 4 1/2 minutes with drums. It picks up a minute later. My favourite track so far.

"Sfogatevi Bestie" features piano and bass as the drums join in and more. Guitar comes to the fore too. Killer stuff. "Assurdo Pt. 1" has laid back piano which is joined by relaxed sax. "Metronomo" opens with vibes then percussion and experimental sounds take over. A catchy beat 2 minutes in. Some crazy keyboards follow then sax before 5 minutes. It's experimental again a minute later. "Assurdo Pt. 2" opens with soft vocals and keyboards. It kicks in to a fuller sound before 1 1/2 minutes then settles back with sax before 3 minutes. This reminds me of WIGWAM. It kicks back in again quickly.

An album that fans of PERIGEO and JRF would be wise to check out. A very entertaining release.

A keyboardist from Milan, who begun his career in mid-70's at the age of 25.Colombo was signed by Ricky Gianco's obscure Ultima Spaggia label, on which he released his debut ''Sfogatevi Bestie'' in 1975.The album features a huge line-up of 12 musicians, among them some very well-known figures such as Nuova Idea's Ricky Belloni on guitars along with his brother Gigi on bass, Pepe Gagliardi on pianoforte, guitarist Maurizio Martelli from Gramigna, Perigeo's Claudio Fasoli on sax and drummer Flaviano Cuffari (formerly with Nuova Idea as well).

The album contains elements from Jazz Rock, Progressive Rock and Fusion with complex themes and an alternation between improvised and structural parts.It opens with the short ARTI E MESTIERI-inspired ''Sono Pronto'', where piano, violin and deep bass hold the interest in a nice and frenetic jazzy opener.The longest track though ''Caccia Alla Volpe'' is the perfect example of Colombo's approach.Manic grooves blended with experimental improvised bits and nice interplays, performed on piano, drums, xylophones and saxes.On ''Entereneuse'' there is a light FRANK ZAPPA influence with some humourous wordless vocals but also some fine musicianship with Colombo's keyboard work on the forefront along with a trumpet section and Fasoli's saxes.The eponymous track is pleasant guitar-based Jazz/Fusion with a fiery rhythm and some good soloing, while ''Metronomo 138'' is sort of Experimental Jazz Rock with obscure persussion parts, effects and piano, rather too long and too improvised.''Assurdo P.II'' will close this release featuring the vocal work of Marco Ferradini but the instrumental sections are the winner on this with some very well work on saxes, guitars and keyboards, always in a Rock/Fusion style.

Good energetic Jazz/Prog/Fusion with a light experimental edge, headed by its dynamic sounds and decent interplays.A must-have for fans of the style or anyone deep into the aforementioned bands/artists.Recommended.