FORMULA 3

This is Formula Tre's second effort: they try to go out from the pure psychedelic old form of "Dies Irae" and, within the supervision of the fabulous couple Battisti-Mogol, manages to build up their most famous work (not the best one, obviously). This was not intended to be an excursion into the vast horizons of the borning star of progressive rock, but has all its fierce heat, its passion. Probably people who are not into the music of Lucio Battisti cannot really understand this pecualiar way to italian "art" rock. It's all matter of appearence, by the way... I noticed so much people think this is just a pop album, due to the highlights in it. Non-italian people would probably lose the great part of the pleasure of this music, 'cause part of its secret in hidden in the lyrics written by Mogol.

Do not expect this is another trio a la ELP, please. Music's structure is simple (but not banal at all). I mean that here you can listen only to three players on, respectively drums, guitar and keyboards (organ hammond, I presume). Sometimes it's necessary to reduce music to its essential form. This is what Formula Tre do with the self titled release.

The most proggy (as well as long) is perhaps the strong opener "Nessuno Nessuno" (No One, No One, 11,01 mns) prefiguring their majestic 1972 album "Sognando e Risognando". Warm and melodic vocals mixed with a strong rythm 'n' session (special mention for the drums' player Toni Cicco). Keyboards and choruses close the song's structure with delicacy, promising for new great tunes. It's rather difficult to find comparisons in the music of this band due to its uniqueness in all the italian classic prog scene. I'd say, for those who know him, that Formula Tre (in this album as in the next one) sound like the hard side of Lucio Battisti. In a similar vein also the second tune "Tu Sei Bianca, Sei Rosa, Mi Perderò" (You're White, Pink, I will Lose Myself, 4,12).

Then starts the long serie of songs which became rapidly a CLASSIC in all the italian popular music scene: still nowadays Formula Tre are well remembered for these tracks, all issued as singles: the poetic "Vendo Casa" (I Sell Home, 2,47 mns) and their biggest commercial success as a single "Eppur Mi Son Scordato di Te" (But I've Forgotten You, 3,35). I always like the electric guitar's riff here... a little comparison could be found, in part of its instrumental part, with Santanas' Abraxas-era.

"Un Papavero" is builded up a words' game (Poppy or True Dad: papavero or papà vero...this is only for the italian people, sorry...).

Another big seller is "Il Vento" (The Wind, 4,44 mns), one of the most favourite of mine from the band, and the strongest of the whole record.

"Mi Chiamo Antonio Tal dei Tali e Lavoro ai Mercati Generali" (My Name's Antonio, Mr So- and-So, and I work at the General Market, 5,50 mns) is a funny track, mainly for the sharp lyrics and double meanings...

On a prog scale, this album undoubtedly comes after "Sognando e Risognando" and "La Grande Casa". A good one, though, for the year 1971. If you like Sognando e Risognando and La Grande Casa, this one has to be yours!