PROFONDO BLU

Despite the seven years separating ''Aliens'' from the next Zauber release, these were much intense for the group members.In 94' the whole group participated in Michele Tale's ''Senza frontiere'' album and two years later they helped on the second Clarion release ''Bouree'', mostly consisting of cover songs.The same year Oscar Giadanino released a solo album under the Myros name and in 97' Zauber released their first live album ''Venti''.Unfortunately this was the last time Liliana Bodini played with the group and in fact the official line-up for the next album ''Profondo blu'' was reduced to the Massimo Cavagliato/Mauro Cavagliato/Giordanino trio with Gianni Cristiani participating as a a guest.Vocals are delivered by Clarion's singer Leo Feri, while the album appeared in 2001, as expected on Mellow Records.

This time the pop sensibilities are very much abandoned by the group, which shows a slow but confident turn to its roots with the album dominated by the Classical-inpired Progressive Rock of the early years along with diverse folky vibes, this time including a bit of Celtic influences in a pair of tracks.The instrumental tracks or breaks are very good, even if some cheap synthesizers always appear here and there, with Giordanino offering some incredible work through long synth runs, delicate organ themes and impressive piano interludes of a Classical nature.The sound of the group remains more or less keyboard-oriented with the solid support of bass and drums, although there are moments with a richer sound as proposed by the presence of Cristiani's magnificent flute parts or the nice electric bursts of Mauro Cavagliato or guest participant Danilo Ghiglieri.The folky influences are either delivered by the flute or harmonica drives or through the related inspiration on Giordanino's keyboards.The vocal moments of the album are definitely along the lines of Classic Italian Prog with a romantic flavor as offered by bands such as SITHONIA or IL CASTELLO DI ATLANTE.Feri's voice is decent though not outstanding, but definitely nice enough to create moments of an atmospheric lyricism in the best Italian tradition.

Forget about the more commercial side of Zauber.''Profondo blu'' is up there with the old stuff of the group, a nice mix of Symphonic and Folk Rock in an Italian way with a very good instrumental comfort.Recommended.