LAVORI IN CORSO

Satisfying and complex symphonic fusion from these Italians, endlessly inventive and would pair quite nicely with Gentle Giant, Return To Forever, Colosseum ll or U.K. Keyboard-based with organ and synths from Alberto Bonomi, but plenty of tasty hard rock in Silvio Minella's Les Paul and the vibrant drums of Alberto De Grandis. Though as tight as they are, Duty Free Area somehow retain a loose and free-flowing feel that one would expect from a trad jazz or Rhythm&Blues outfit, and have more consideration for the educated jam than many fusion ensembles. Most tracks are instrumental and over six minutes, though the drummer and keyboardist vocalize with limited success. Great stuff for instrumental lovers, particularly 'Work Machine', the 9-minute 'Pantera', agitated bop and Zappa-esque angles in 'Trip on Metro' and 'Space Ace Man', and the expansive 'La Via' at 16 minutes. Nothing groundbreaking but aces nonetheless, and suggested for fusionheads who can never have enough quality music.