OPERA PRIMA

I want to dedicate this review to my old friend Finnforest(Jim) who is one of the resident RPI experts and someone I've conversed with on here for 10 years or so. And hey being from Minnesota he might as well be Canadian. This is an album I checked out early on in my journey through Prog and initially I took a pass on it, just not being a big fan of the cover art or the title of the album. Well I eventually picked it up and I'm so glad I did. They were a duo only with no guests. Rustichelli is the keyboard man playing piano, synths, mellotron and organ along with singing and man can he sing. Bordini is the drummer and after this lone album he would eventually join CHERRY FIVE playing on their amazing debut. Rustichelli is the composer as well and after this he would eventually make film music following in his dad's footsteps. No guitar or bass and ELP seems to be the inspiration.

"Nativita" is the opening instrumental that is so impressive. Pulsating piano with drums and some depth to start as the mellotron sweeps in. Organ to the fore around a minute and soon it's pulsating as well. There's a calm just before 2 1/2 minutes and it's quite beautiful with piano and mellotron, very uplifting. The organ is back as the sound kicks back in but then another calm arrives as contrasts continue. It kicks in again before 5 minutes as the pulsating organ continues. An almost silent calm follows then it kicks back in more powerful than ever. Mellotron as well. A final beautiful calm arrives 7 minutes in. A great start.

"I Caro" is my favourite track on here. Organ to start as laid back vocals join in. Great sound here when that organ kicks in hard after a minute with drums as the vocals step aside until after 1 1/2 minutes when he returns with passion and character. A lot of people don't like his vocals but man what character! Organ is the focus after 2 minutes as the vocals stop. Piano joins the organ and drums. A change after 3 minutes to a catchy rhythm and an amazing vocal display. A haunting calm after 4 1/2 minutes then it kicks in again after 5 minutes to an uptempo organ, drum and piano section. I like the organ before 6 minutes and the vocals return a minute later returning like a king they are so dramatic.

"Dolce Sorella" opens with some relaxed organ as reserved vocals join in. Drums join in as well as it picks up some as the vocals and organ continue. When the vocals stop and the organ becomes more prominent it really reminds me of ELP after 2 1/2 minutes. The vocals and that laid back sound are back before 3 1/2 minutes then it ends in a dramatic manner with piano, synths and more.

"Un Cane" opens with piano as vocals and a fuller sound arrive before 1 1/2 minutes. Man I know his vocals are an acquired taste but I'm so into them. Piano only after 4 1/2 minutes like the intro.

"E Sveglarsi In Un Giorno" starts out with organ as synths and drums kick in quickly then vocals. Check out the vocals before 2 1/2 minutes(haha). Synths to the fore before 3 minutes as the vocals step aside. A calm before 3 1/2 minutes with drums and organ, mellotron too. Nice section. Synths to the fore again around 4 minutes then the vocals are back!

"Cammeliandia" is the closer and longest track at close to 9 minutes. Relaxed piano to start then it kicks in with pulsating organ and upfront drumming a minute in. This continues until it settles before 4 1/2 minutes. A haunting calm arrives a minute later then mellotron after 6 1/2 minutes becomes the focus then back to the pulsating organ although the mellotron will return once more.

A very solid 4 stars although I considered 4.5 stars. Rustichelli really is the star here with his incredible keyboard work and vocals. The latter often sounds like he's about to cough up a huge hair-ball but I'm so into them.