GIARDINI DI MIRO' - Different Times (2018)

This Italian group come back after some years with this new work in 2018. Sonorities are very clear with good technique and good arrangements. Also the vinyl  (2 LP 180 gr.) and double cover is in a refined packaging.
At the end the content seems good but not at the same level.
Here is a rip of my vinyl copy.

Enjoy: different times

JULIE'S HAIRCUT - After Dark (2006)

Julie’s Haircut 2006 work “After Dark, my sweet” here as mp3 version. Excellent sonorities from the Italian group. Some tracks will be later used as basis for their future works.

Hear: After Dark (mp3)

NU GUINEA - Magnolia 18-07-2019

I listen to Nu Guinea work "Nuova Napoli" some months ago and I was really well impressed by their music; a good mix of Funky-Disco-Jazz and traditional music (words of all songs in Naples dialet). Some sonorities remember me the artist Pino Daniele (also from Naples ) who died some years ago.
So a good opportunity to see the band live here in Milan. A summer night create a magic atmosphere for the show that in some moments appear as a beach party (see Je Volesse) and in some other as a good Jazz session (see Nuova Napoli).

BE FOREST - Earthbeat (2013)

Interesting Italian band coming from Pesaro. This is the second work they produced in 2013  (a new one  "Knocturne" is just released).
Return of "dark-wave" and "minimal"  rhythms and sounds are the main content of this band as other in this moment (see previous post of "Second Still"). They already provided tours outside Italy and also in US with participation to TV show.
To follow with interest.

EARTHBEAT

BIGLIETTO PER L'INFERNO - Vivi, Lotta, Pensa (2015)

Biglietto Per L' inferno was an important Italian Progressive Rock in the '70. They reformed in 2009 mainly with  new arrangement of  old songs of the  two works "biglietto per l' inferno" and " il tempo della semina".
In the new band the original voice of Claudio Canali ( retired as monk since several years and dead in 2018) is replaced by Mariolina Sala.
I also re-post a link to the original "biglietto per l' inferno" so you judge the differencies.

Vivi Lotta Pensa
Biglietto per l' inferno (1974)

LAY LLAMAS - Ostro (2014)

Lay Llamas  is an Italian group part of the new psychedelic or "occult psychedelic" wave. With Julie's Haircut  (some of the components collaborates) are in my opinion the top of this group of bands.
There are on spotify some interesting playlist proposed by Julie's Haircut as summary of the Italian background of the moment "postcard from the land of sunshine" is one of this and can be used as example or guide of this music area.

HEAR : Ostro (mp3)

JULIE'S HAIRCUT - Ashram Equinox (deluxe) -2013

Julie's Haircut is an Italian band, probably better known in other european country instead than in Italy. They start in 1994 but first album released in 2000.
"Ashram Equinox " 2013 (here in deluxe version taken from spotify) is a clear document of Julie's Haircut evolution to Psychedelic-ambient music. Some parts remember me the early Pink Floyd sonorities.
Really good. GREAT!!

HEAR: Ashram Equinox

LE ORME - Villa Guardia (COMO) August 29, 2015

Saturday August 29, 2015 was a good summer end day. I spent the late morning and first afternoon winsurfing on the Como lake (it' s a must at least one time for season since 30 years) and then a night to a concert (this time I was alone because aìof vacation time). The concert was an old band of italian progressive rock "LE ORME " with PFM, Banco del mutuo soccorso, Biglietto per l'inferno and others  were the hit of italian progressive rock of ' 70 years.
I was just a child when they come with their "innovative " music in 72-73. So it was a flash back to listen their hits more than 30 years later. Only one of the original components is still there (the drummer Miki dei Rossi ) and despite the 67 years old is full of energy. The new band is anyway a good band (not like the original one) specially the keyboards players is superb. At the end a very good revival evening. Iam now playing the old LP of the band time after time " Collage- Uomo di pezza- Felona & Sorona etc. etc. Good music is definitively  without time!!!

NINA ZILLI - Villa Arconati July 18, 2015

Very nice show this evening at Villa Arconati  Festival (even more a must appointment of music summer in Milan area). Thanks to a friend of mine I start to appreciate Nina Zilli some time ago and more and more I am convinced about quality of this artist.
 This " Frasi & Fumo" is her third album and it confirms the original style of Nina. Yes It's a refrain of '60 melodic italian sound with a lot of suggestion from other styles (blues, jazz, calypso, dub, reggae and jazz) with a bit of ironic parody as in the unlikely hairstyles and dress scene demonstrate.
At the end a good concert, good performance, a good summer night despite the hot weather period.
Well done NINA, see you soon.

                                                                             

                                                                     

DIAFRAMMA - 3 volte lacrime (1986)

Diaframma are an Italian New wave band. “3 volte lacrime “ is their second LP; I bought my vinyl copy just at the release in 1986.  They had a parallel career with Litfiba (not with the same success), really I lost them after this LP. I recently read  about them still on the stage (Federico Fiumani is the only original component) so  driven by curiosity I put the vinyl again on the plate.  The sound is that of 30 years ago with dark bass and guitar rhythm in good evidence. Somebody compared their sound to The Cure one… too much, but some sonority, perhaps!! Anyway I listen  this LP again with pleasure.

Listen: 3vltlcrm.zip

PFM - Storia di un minuto

Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) is probably the most famous Italian band of progressive rock.  Franz Di Cioccio, Franco Mussida are well known names in the italian music world and still on the scenes.
This  LP was a milestone of '70 and it is impossible not to remenber a piece like "impressioni di Settembre" ....wonderful. As final consideration I want to underline, with a bit of nostalgia, that the cover of vinyl LPs, and in special way in the '70 and beginning of '80 ones, had a great importance; really art works and progressive rock covers were at the top !! We lost for the moment (never say never)  this part of the game.
http://rapidshare.com/share/E7DA1ED030552984CE2EAF8598041518

MALIKA AYANE - 9/12/13 Auditorium di Milano

I was invited to a charity show with a concert of Malika Ayane, I know Malika and her voice so I corfirmed my presence. It was a nice evening; nothing exceptional, short (one hour of music) but at the end a good show.
The kind of music is "easy listening ". It is OK for a relax evening. For who doesn' t know Malika  (she  is italian with maroccan parents) I post the link with her first CD "Feeling Better"( 2009). It had  good success with some hits on TV advertising spots.




Listen to:
http://rapidshare.com/share/83DC43960E12B2D55B97B58E28B4C3B5

KRISMA - Chinese Restaurant (1978)

CHRISMA (Cristina and Maurizio) first  and KRISMA later, these are the names used by this italian duo. In the '80 well known not only in Italy but also in other nations (it seems they have a lot of fans in Japan too). Since a lot of year I hear nothing about them but recently I receive a recent photo of  a friend together with Krisma and as a background  a "Chinese Restaurant". So the connection is quite easy to do !!!

Chinese Restaurant: http://rapidshare.com/share/0CBA0F364F30D880D6A076C04485FE02

BIGLIETTO PER L' INFERNO - Biglietto per l'inferno

Another post dedicated to the '70 Italian progressive rock. Il BIGLIETTO PER L' INFERNO was a cult band in the north Italy (originally from Lecco/ Como area). Strange history of the singer that after the experience with the group and songs like "confession" (part of this work) decided to became friar  and he is now in a monastery.
The band produce two LP. The first (the best) is this one dated 1974.
The band make a reunion few years ago with a similar name (adding .FOLK) but really I don't know which the result is.

Here: http://rapidshare.com/files/3105678520/BPI.zip

BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO - Banco (1972)

After the "beat" period, it was the time for "progressive". And again some italian bands take example from the english  area.
Three bands can be considered the most  rapresentative of the "Italian progressive movement".
a) Premiata Forneria Marconi
b)Banco del Mutuo Soccorso
c)Le Orme.

Here we have  the "Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso" work named BANCO originally released in 1972. Enjoy it!!

BANCO : http://rapidshare.com/files/980532902/BMS.zip

I GIGANTI - Mettete dei fiori nei vostri cannoni

 '60 was the period of "beat" generation and music follow the moment. Of course UK and London was for Europe (and Italy) the reference point. This Italian band "I GIGANTI" (the giants) melt the beat sound and look  London style with typical italian melodic music. The result is a little bit Kitch but for that moment in Italy was a revolution (this is the opinion of some older friends). The "special" voice of the singer helped to their success. Recently there was a partial reunion of some component and this is a compilation (2006) of their old success and some cover of other authors; It is the case of "il vecchio e il bambino" (F. Guccini) and of "il pescatore" (F. De Andrè).

Mettete dei fiori nei vostri cannoni: http://rapidshare.com/files/2556842531/GNT.zip

LE ORME - Collage

We are back in the '70 with this LP. Le Orme, and particularly this work, is considered the starting point of the "Italian Progressive Rock". The absorption of the UK and London dream was clear in groups like Le Orme, Premiata Forneria Marconi, Banco del Mutuo Soccorso.

I was a child and this are memories of music from the radio or from older friends and parents. I remenber very well the titletrack of this work and probably was my first "love" for music.

http://www.mediafire.com/?lmn9hxluploq3gd

STATE OF ART - Interview

A new interview (it is in Italian ) from STATE OF ART (see post dated  Oct. 29th 2011)

GARBO - A Berlino ....va bene

It was 1981 and also in Italy some "new" sound come. We can consider this as a melodic new wave music. An Italian version of what in the meantime happened in UK.
I listen again to this with pleasure.

http://www.mediafire.com/?s1iln7tt7slkrx3

STATE OF ART - At Work

"State of Art"  was part of  the '80 Italian New Wave (Milan area). I saw my friend Andrea (State of Art member ) few months ago in occasion of the   WIRE concert (see post 24 Feb 2011 on this blog).  Andrea gave  me  some new tracks from  "State of Art" to listen for. I really appreciate  that tracks !!. The style is  different (of course ) form the '80 sound  (listen to "Gathered" italian new wave compilation); the sound is now  more funky,  more dance, more rythm, more...!!
My favourite track is "make it work". It is  an irresistible dance-hit   and in the meantime the  memory goes back to the original  models: "A Certain Ratio", Rip Rig& Panic, Talking Heads and... why not ABC.
Finally the new album of State of Art in on the market. "At work" is the title and it is on  itunes.
Here are some links with example of their music and some fanzines review

MAKE IT WORK = http://www.youtube.com/user/edizioniishtar  

You can also see the previous works:
http://www.spittlerecords.it/index.html#28

http://www.technodisco.it/musica/5306620-state-of-art-venice/