Arti & Mestieri - "Tilt" (1974)

Here is an album that should keep you alert. Arti & Mestieri plays jazzrock mixed with fusion. I personally is not a big fan of bands like Mahavishnu Orchestra, but this album is a highlight for me. Mainly because the tracks never allow the solos and melodies to be too "out of control" and unstructured.

Two of the tracks have vocals, otherwise its instrumental pieces all the way. I have read many that complain about the vocals, saying it to be the weakeast aspect of this album. I though, must say that I have no problem with them. The vocalist has a rather soft and pleasant voice. And the tracks with vocals nicely contrast to the other ones. I feel that all instrumental albums can be quiet a challenge sometimes. Then its good if at least 2-3 tracks have vocals, which allow you to "breathe out" in between songs.

Another definitive plus with this album is Furio Chirico, the drummer. He is one of the best, fastest most technical drummer I have ever heard. Sometimes I tend to listen to only him, in the tracks. Also there is some really nice backing of mellotron, and a superb violinist.

"Gravità 9,81" is a fast piece, the 'jazztempo' sets in fast and the incredible drummer/drumming by Furio Chirico is soon obvious. Instrumental, violin(?) and wind. Its fusion but it never gets boring. This track goes directly into - "Strips". Also a very high tempo, the drummer again to my ears, steals the show. Pleasant vocals, with very good themes flowing from very mellow to uptempo fusion. "Corrosione" is a track that maintains a strong windsection i.e souding much like late Soft Machine or fusionbands in that genre. "Positivo/Negativo" again display very strong and awesome fusion themes, including fast guitarsolos. "In Cammino" is in the same way as the previous, thus it is a good break when "Farenheit" opens with a nice calmer pianomelody.

"Articolazioni" is the longest track (13´24´´) here and perhaps the best. It also includes some vocals. Again the track is ranging from slower themes to absolutely furious tempo. Full of contrast and very impresive performing. Again the drummer makes wuite some impression. Plenty of mellotron also. This track simply contains everything that make Arti & Mestieri so great! "Tilt", the closing titletrack is just a ridiculous "track" withj ust some aweful noise (soundeffects?) for 2,5 minutes...

To sum it up, this album is very essential. It has so many great themes and melodies packed in the songs that you will never loose your interest. There is a rich sound of mellotron, wind instruments and some violin. But of course, the main instrumentalist, at least for me, playing some drums myself, is the drummer.

This album is available in CD from both CRAMPS and AKARMA. I have the Akarma digipac version and I have a small complaint. The digipac comes in gatefold, with the inner sleeve having photos of the band and lyrics on the "left" side, but on the whole right side is a korean text , probably a review of the album. I do not know korean but I strongly feel that it would be smarter to have some info about the band in english or italian there.

Go to the next Arti & Mestieri album Giro di valzer per domani.