Apoteosi - "Apoteosi" (1975)

This is another italian goodie. From 1975, this album sounds pretty "average" but that is not bad, no indeed not bad at all - for an italian progressive rock album. And I meant an average and typical sound. Has that great and special mix between calmer and more relaxed moments with paino and flutes - and also harder moments with fast perfect progrock. This is actually also the first progressive band ever I have heard with a female singer. Not that common, right? Well, she sings very good I can tell you.

"Embrion" kicks off this great album, a short good tune, nice introduction. Then comes one of the albums highlights, the awesome "Prima Realta". Now THIS is what makes progressive rock so tasteful, interesting and great according to me. Lots of great timechanges, very tight playing, singing is great, the instrumental sections are really great. Sounds very well arranged, and as I said, that perfect combination, lots of contrasts and various time signatures. Never gets into boring jams or being repetative. At the end of the track, when the singer returns again, and is backed up by acoustic guitar and flute... well, simply divine. Then it kicks in again, one of the powerful mainthemes, before ending.

The next track, "Il Grande Disumano" is also a long great track. Piano, keyboards, bass, drums and guitar progging along. Again a very changing track, constantly "evolving", I really like this kind of tasteful prog. The singer (not the lady) sings a bit funny, sort of high-pitched. But anyway, this track is another goodie, stuffed with all the right moves. In the middle of the song there os a very beautiful break with the lady singing her best backed up by the others. "Dimensione da Sogno" is also good, starting again with that characteristic piano, then slowly rising in tempo and intensity. Creds again to her sweet voice and the carefully written melodies. "Apoteosi" ends this album. Has a repetative theme, slowly builds up an atmosphere, circling around the same melody. Its an ok ending.

So, in conclusion, this certainly is a great italian album, no doubt. All the right moves, GREAT melodies, that typical italian sound we all LOVE so much. SO this album gets high grades.