DE DE LIND — Io Non So Da Dove Vengo E Non So Dove Mai Andrò. Uomo È Il Nome Che Mi Han Dato (1973) RM | Two Version | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Mention De De Lind to most aficionados of Italian progressive rock and, chances are, they will come right back at you with the band's best known claim to fame -- one of the longest LP titles ever accepted by a major label (Mercury) -- Io Non So da Dove Vengo e Son So Dove Mai Andrio, Uomo è il Nome Che Mi …. Even more impressively, most of those aficionados will then inform you that it is one of the genre's finest ever releases, and send you out in search of it, on either its original vinyl or via the 1990 Mercury CD reissue.

De De Lind formed in 1969, with a lineup of Vito Paradiso (vocals, acoustic guitar), Gilberto Trama (flute, sax, keyboards), Matteo Vitolli (guitar), Eddy Lorigiola (bass), and Ricky Rebajoli (drums). Signing to the Windsor label, they released the single "Anche se Sei Qui"/"Come si Fa?" that same year, before being scooped up by Mercury. Two singles followed over the next two years, "Mille Anni"/"Ti Devo Lasciare" in 1970, and "Signore Dove Vai"/"Torneremo Ancora" the following year. Io Non So da Dove Vengo e Son So Dove Mai Andrio, Uomo è il Nome Che Mi … was released in 1972, and proved to be the band's last stand. By the end of the year, De De Lind had vanished, with only vocalist Paradiso ever resurfacing, for a short-lived solo career during the late '80s. Dave Thompson
Tracklist :
 1. Fuga E Morte (7:21) 
2. Indietro Nel Tempo (4:18) 
3. Paura Del Niente (7:46) 
4. Smarrimento (8:00) 
5. Cimetero Di Guerra (5:20) 
6. Voglia Di Rivivere (3:35) 
7. E Poi (2:05) 
Personnel :
Vito Paradiso - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar 
Gilberto Trama - Flute, Saxophone, Keyboards 
Matteo Vitolli - Guitar, Percussion, Piano, Flute 
Eddy Lorigiola - Bass 
Ricky Rebajoli - Drums, Percussion  

ARTI & MESTIERI — Tilt : Immagini Per Un Orecchio (1974) RM | Two Version | APE + FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Outstanding fusion band from Italy. All the power delivered by the insane drumming of Furio CHIRICO is counterpointted by the beautiful violin passages, as well as the killer guitar work. On their early albums, ARTI e MESTIERI made a dynamic, complex and elaborately crafted rock, folk, and fusion blend, that featured much violin and keyboards.
ARTI & MESTIERI, considered one of the most influent cult bands in the italian and european prog scene will astonish the audience confirming, 25 years after its release, that "TILT" is still a milestone for two generations of fans. Both albums that came out on CD, "Tilt" and "Giro Di Valzer Per Domani", are real masterpieces of the genre. A real must for all fusion lovers! Progarchives
Tracklist :
1. Gravità 9,81 (4:05)
2. Strips (4:39)
3. Corrosione (1:37)
4. Positivo / Negativo (3:29)
5. In Cammino (5:36)
6. Farenheit (1:15)
7. Articolazioni (13:24)
8. Tilt (2:29)
Total Time 36:34
Line-up / Musicians
Luigi "Gigi" Venegoni - Electric & Acoustic Guitars, ARP2600 Synthesizer 
Beppe Crovella - Acoustic & Electric Pianos, ARP2600 & Eminent Synths, Mellotron, Hammond Organ
Giovanni Vigliar - Violin, Vocals, Percussion
Arturo Vitale - Soprano & Baritone Saxes, Clarinet & Bass Clarinet, Vibraphone
Marco Gallesi - Bass
Furio Chirico - Drums, Percussion 

BUON VECCHIO CHARLIE — Buon Vecchio Charlie (1971) RM | Two Version | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Formed in Rome in 1970, Buon Vecchio Charlie are the all-but unknown creators of what has since been described among the greatest of all Italian prog albums, a self-titled effort recorded around spring 1971 for the Venice-based Suono label, but left to languish on the shelf for the next twenty years. Comprising three tracks, including a mammoth adaptation of "The Hall Of The Mountain King", it was finally unearthed by Melos in 1992.
Buon Vecchio Charlie themselves continued working into 1972, with several band members joining singer-songwriter Beppe Palomba on his album A Rosa, a Giovanna e alle altre. (Two tracks from this album were included on the late 1999 Akarma label reissue of Buon Vecchio Charlie.) From there, guitarist Luigi Calabrò, bassist Paolo Damiani and drummer Rino Sangiorgio formed a new band, the jazz-rock outfit Bauhaus - no relation, of course, to the British goths of early 1980s renown! . Dave Thompson
Tracklist : 
1. Venite Giù Al Fiume 12:09
Music By – Luigi Calabrò 
2. Evviva La Contea Di Lane 6:35
 Music By – Richard Benson
3. All'Uomo Che Raccoglie I Cartoni (15:00)
 Music By – Luigi Calabrò 
– BONUS TRACKS –
4. Rosa 4:33
5. Il Guardiano Della Valle 2:39
Credits :
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Vocals – Luigi Calabrò
Bass – Paolo Damiani
Drums – Rino Sangiorgio
Keyboards – Sandro Centofanti
Lead Vocals, Twelve-String Guitar – Richard Benson
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Sandro "Cicero" Cesaroni

CELESTE — Celeste (1976-2010) RM | Italian Rock SHM-CD Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Along with Museo Rosenbach, Celeste were born from the ashes of the legendary Il Sistema, a band from Sanremo whose only posthumous released recordings don't give a real idea of what they were.
Formed by drummer Ciro Perrino and sax player Leonardo Lagorio (who had played with Museo Rosenbach in their early days) this four piece went in a totally different direction from their beginnings, playing a mostly acoustic, dreamy and delicate prog. A studio group, they had a very limited live experience.
Their first album, Celeste, also known as Principe di un giorno, was released by the small Grog label only in 1976, but the tracks had been composed in 1973 and recorded in 1974. It contains seven tracks, with pastoral lyrics and a style not far from the softer side of early King Crimson.
A second album, recorded in 1977, was released in 1991 by Mellow with the obvious title of Celeste II. Closer to jazz-rock and very far from their debut album, this suffers from poor quality and unfinished recordings.
Another album, born as a soundtrack and called I suoni in una sfera was also released in 1992, more similar to their first work and including two songs also on Principe di un giorno.
After the band split Ciro Perrino played with St.Tropez (that also included Celeste bass player Battaglia), Compagnia Digitale and SNC and released a solo album (Solare in 1980), before founding with Mauro Moroni the praiseworthy Mellow label, so important during the years for the world diffusion of the Italian prog. wiki
Tracklist : 
1 Principe Di Giorno
Bass, Pedal Steel Guitar, Xylophone – Giorgio Battaglia
Guitar, Violin – Mariano Schiavolini
Percussion, Flute, Mellotron, Vocals – Ciro Perrino
Piano [Acoustic], Electric Piano, Flute, Alto Saxophone, Mellotron, Synthesizer [Eminent] – Leonardo Lagorio 
2 Favole Antiche
Bass – Giorgio Battaglia
Guitar – Mariano Schiavolini
Percussion, Flute, Vocals – Ciro Perrino
Piano [Acoustic], Electric Piano, Synthesizer [ARP Odyssey], Flute, Spinet – Leonardo Lagorio
3 Eftus
Bass – Giorgio Battaglia
Effects [È Qui - Si È] – Aldo De Scalzi
Flute, Synthesizer [ARP 2600], Mellotron – Leonardo Lagorio
Guitar, Vocals – Mariano Schiavolini
Percussion, Flute, Vocals – Ciro Perrino
4 Giochi Nella Notte
Bass, Chorus – Giorgio Battaglia
Guitar, Violin, Chorus – Mariano Schiavolini
Percussion, Flute, Flute [Flauto Dolce], Vocals, Chorus, Xylophone – Ciro Perrino
Piano [Acoustic], Electric Piano, Flute, Synthesizer [ARP 2600, Eminent], Mellotron, Chorus – Leonardo Lagorio
5 La Grande Isola
Bass – Giorgio Battaglia
Effects [Plop] – Aldo De Scalzi
Flute – Leonardo Lagorio
Guitar – Mariano Schiavolini
Percussion, Vocals – Ciro Perrino
6 La Danza Del Fato
Bass – Giorgio Battaglia
Guitar – Mariano Schiavolini
Percussion, Flute, Vocals – Ciro Perrino
Piano [Acoustic], Synthesizer [ARP 2600], Flute, Mellotron – Leonardo Lagorio
7 L'imbroglio
Bass, Electric Guitar – Giorgio Battaglia
Guitar, Violin – Mariano Schiavolini
Percussion, Flute, Mellotron, Vocals, Flute [Flauto Dolce] – Ciro Perrino
Piano [Acoustic], Electric Piano, Flute, Synthesizer [ARP 2600], Mellotron, Saxophone [Contralto], Tenor Saxophone – Leonardo Lagorio

SEMIRAMIS — Dedicato A Frazz (1973) Two Version | Italian Rock SHM-CD Series | FLAC (inage+.tracks+.cue), lossless

SEMIRAMIS is one of the many "one-shot" bands of the 70's Italy. Their only album is one of my favorite albums of the 70's Italian art rock. Combining elements of Italian folk, heavy progressive passages (especially in the middle of the album), Baroque church music, jazz, classical, and a good dose of insanity. "Dedicato A Frazz" pounds every sense, challenges every synapse in a flurry of ideas. There are more symphonic, keyboard-led parts as well where SEMIRAMIS may sound closer YES, GENESIS or BANCO. A fantastic album...
Tracklist :
1.    La Bottega Del Rigattiere    6:01
2.    Luna Park    4:29

3.    Uno Zoo Di Vetro    5:57
4.    Per Una Strada Affollata    5:01
5.    Dietro Una Porta Di Carta    5:43
6.    Frazz    5:09
7.    Clown    4:34
Credits :
Arranged By – Giampiero Artegiani, Maurizio Zarillo, Michele Zarrillo
Artwork – Gordon Faggetter
Bass, Lyrics By – Marcello Reddavide
Drums, Percussion, Vibraphone – Paolo Faenza
Guitar, Music By – Michele Zarrillo
Piano, Synthesizer – Maurizio Zarillo
Synthesizer – Giampiero Artegiani

CHERRY FIVE — Cherry Five (1975) RM | Italian Rock SHM-CD Series | Three Version | WV + FLAC (image+.trackcs+.cue), lossless

CHERRY FIVE were a one-time spinoff from Italian band GOBLIN who managed to release this gem back in 1975. Vocals are well done, full of harmonies and are convincingly sung in English. The sound of CHERRY FIVE is hard to really peg down, but I draw allusions to many of the classic 70's Ital-Prog contemporaries with a dash of YES and ELP thrown in for good measure. CHERRY FIVE offer some great drum and keyboard interplay... (hammond, moog, electric piano and mellotron). Songs are nicely varied with some softer influences, some jazz Canterbury interludes and some fattier 70's classic Ital -Prog moments. Why not add this album to your gift registry for your wedding... progarchives
Tracklist :
1. Country Grave Yard (8:18)

2. The Picture of Dorian Gray (8:28)
3. The Swan is a Murderer Part 1 (3:53)
4. The Swan is a Murderer Part 2 (5:07)
5. Oliver (9:30)
6. My Little Cloud Land (7:43)
Total Time: 43:19
Line-up / Musicians
Claudio Simonetti - Keyboards
Massimo Morante - Guitars
Fabio Pignatelli - Bass
Tony Tartarini - Lead Voice
Carlo Bordini - Drums, Percussion

GOBLIN — Roller (1976) RM | Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Goblin followed up the impressive Italian success of Profondo Rosso with one of the few non-soundtrack items in their catalog. Despite this fact, Roller finds the group's trademark mixture of prog rock complexity and horror movie atmospherics very much intact: The title track builds from staccato piano passages into an epic riff powered by electric guitar and cathedral-style organ, while "Goblin" is an epic of prog fireworks that works in an array of complex solos from each of the group's members. The album also introduces a surprisingly gentle side to the group's sound through "Aquaman" and "Il Risveglio Del Serpente," two cuts that exchange the electric guitars and synthesizer excursions that dominate much of the album for quiet, delicate interplay between acoustic guitar and electric piano. However, the most surprising cut on the album is "Snip Snap," which temporarily puts aside the rest of the album's overt prog rock style to create a funky excursion that starts with an infectious clavinet riff and builds into a spacey slice of funk drenched in synthesizer effect. The end result is a strong album that consolidates the jazzy prog rock theatrics that made Profondo Rosso so impressive while also working in unexpected elements that flesh their sound out in new and interesting ways. In short, Roller is a necessity for Goblin fans and is an album that's also likely to appeal to fans of European prog rock. Donald A. Guarisco  
Tracklist :
1. Roller (4:38)
2. Aquaman (5:22)
3. Snip Snap (3:37)
4. The Snake Awakens (3:27)
5. Goblin (11:10)
6. Dr. Frankenstein (6:00)
Total Time: 34:14
Line-up / Musicians
Massimo Morante - Acoustic & Electric Guitars
Claudio Simonetti - Organ, Pipe Organ (Basilica Sacro Cuore,Roma), Piano, Hohner Clavinet, MiniMoog, Logan & Elka String Synthesizers
Maurizio Guarini - Piano, Fender Rhodes, Hohner Pianet, Moog, Clarinet
Fabio Pignatelli - Basses
Agostino Marangolo - Drums, Percussion
Artwork: Gian Franco Marignani with Carlo Bixio (Art director)

MUSEO ROSENBACH — Zarathustra (1973-2003) RM | Strange Days Presents: BMG Italian Rock Paper Sleeve Collection Series | Two Version | WV + FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This is probably the most impressive Italian progressive rock album ever, with an astonishing blend of hard and symphonic progressive rock, it is at the same time the most comprehensive guide on 40 minutes on Nietzsche's filosophy, specially on Thus spoke Zarathustra, his last masterwork. Lyrics resume Nietzsche's whole filosophy with powerful words and musical pictorical resourses that made more powerful his filosophical though. A perfect example of this is the final piece, Dell'eterno ritorno, which concludes with an inverse triple rumble on the drums, before the epic symphonic tutti at the end. Released on vinyl in 1973, it's still a perfect example of Italian powerful idiosincrathic musical creativity. José Recillas
Tracklist :
1. Zarathustra 20:35

1A. L'Ultimo Uomo
1B. Il Re Di Ieri
1C. Al Di Là Del Bene E Del Male
1D. Superuomo
1E. Il Tempio Delle Clessidre
2 Degli Uomini 4:04
3 Della Natura 8:28
4 Dell'Eterno Ritorno 6:18
Credits :
Bass, Piano – Alberto Moreno
Drums, Timpani, Bells, Vocals – Giancarlo Golzi
Guitar, Vocals – Enzo Merogno
Lyrics By – Mauro La Luce
Mellotron, Organ [Hammond], Vibraphone,
Electric Piano [Farfisa] – Pit Corradi
Vocals – Stefano "Lupo" Galifi

E. A. POE — Generazioni (Storia Di Sempre) (1974-2013) RM | SHM-CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

"Edgar Allan Poe or E A Poe was formed in 1972 by Giorgio Foti (Chico) vocals and keyboards, Beppe Ronco (Ronbe) guitar and mandolin, Lello Foti (14 at the time) drummer, and Marco Maggi (Avvocato) bass. I (Marco) met Giorgio in high school where we spent a few years together. One day, I went to his house and then to a practice place where we played some music. The bass player had just left the band so I jammed with them, messing around with the bass. I remember that day - playing while Giorgio yelled at me the notes to be played. Beppe insisted that I join the band playing the bass, although I never did before as I was really a guitar player. In no time, I fell in love with that instrument.

While playing gigs as a cover band trying to make some needed money for instruments, our main focus and pleasure was to play our own music. We played for free many years in the Milano interland at all kinds of festivals, indoor or outdoor, for the joy of playing our music and the excitement that came with it. In 1974, I had the fortune or misfortune to be introduced to Gigi Fiume Menegazzi, a producer, who agreed to sign us and record our album. At the beginning of September 1974, we showed up at Trevisan Recording in Milano with zero experience in a recording studio and only three days time to complete our album.

The first surprise was that we had to record separately first the drum and the bass only! The problem was that we never counted the measures; we always played together. That was really weird and we were not ready for it, but we managed it very well. We had no time to waste! Right after beginning, the engineer told me, on the headphones, to use a pick because the bass was not clear enough. I had never used a pick playing the bass before. As a consequence, I had to cut in half the speed of the bass line in "Prologo." Lello and I managed to lay down the basics of every song without other inconvenience. That was good. After that, we started to add all the other instruments and at the end, the voice - just Giorgio. "La Ballata del Cane Felice" features Lello at the bass, and after dropping the mandolin off a chair and breaking it, we had to use a twelve string guitar tuned as a mandolin in the main part of the song because the mandolin was unusable and barely made it for the solo. Still now, I do not know how Beppe was able to do so. The three days went by really fast, and at the end, we had to be content with what we did. Of course there were quite a few things that we would have liked to fix or redo. Another funny part during the mixing was when everybody was telling the engineer different things like "up the guitar now," "down the keyboard" or whatever until he kicked us out of the room!

After that, our manager convinced us to give away the copyright of our music in exchange for big promotions and concerts that never happened. We were young and trusting. We decided not to put our names on the album cover because we did not want to be a commercial band and just wanted the music to speak for us. The album cover was Lello's idea. He found an old Mina 45 cover where there was a picture of a monkey. He took a picture of it and used the negative for the final cut. The name of the band came out of a dictionary when we were looking for a name. Somebody opened a page and we read the name Edgar Allan Poe. We just liked the way it sounded, and we probably did not even know that much about the author.

In the next few years, we recorded our own arrangement of the "Jaws" soundtrack, which was distributed for free at the opening night in Milano. We arranged a song for a singer Luca Simonelli from an old tune "Portami Tante Rose," and Giorgio (the lead of the band) wrote side B with us. When we recorded "Jaws," Roberto Bertazzi was playing guitar due to Beppe being in the army. After Beppe came back, we were contacted by Sony who was interested in us, but the timing did not work. Giorgio had to leave for the army. When he came back, disco music was on the rise, and that was it. In 1983, I moved to the United States, and that was the end." -Marco Maggi (bassist, Edgar Allan Poe)
Tracklist :
1. Prologo 4:46
Written-By – Gidam, Motta
2. Considerazioni 5:27
Written-By – Galiani, Gidam
3. Per un'Anima 2:34
Written-By – Carfin, Fratini, Licrate
4. Alla Ricerca Di Una Dimensione 4:19
Written-By – Carfin, Zauli, Lombardi
5. Ad un Vecchio 6:52
Written-By – Gidam, Motta
6. La Ballata del Cane Infelice 4:51
Written-By – Zauli, Gidam, Motta
7. Generazioni 5:25
Written-By – Gidam, Motta
Line-up / Musicians
- Giorgio Foti - Keyboards, Vocals
- Beppe Ronco - Guitar, Mandolin
- Lello Foti - Drums
+ Marco Maggi - Bass

PROCESSION — Fiaba (1974-1989) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Here's an interesting italian prog band from the seventies named Procession. As many of their colleagues of that time, they only managed to release a couple of albums and then disappeared. With their second work titled Fiaba they're generally considered to have composed and performed their best effort with the help of certain guests as Ettore Vigo of DELIRIUM on mellotron, Silvana Aliotta, ex lead singer of the then dissolved CIRCUS 2000 who provides a fabulous vocals on the last part of "C'Era una Volta" (Once Upon a Time, 8,10 mns) that reminds me of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, a little bit and also something from the band UNO by ex Osanna leader Elio D'Anna. Other guests are Francesco Froggio Francisca (RRR) on percussions

As I said, Procession has lot in common with Delirium, musically. They're an example of that eclectic traditional sound of Rock Progressivo Italiano as also Delirium were. With some delicate jazzy phrasing all along the six compositions they also sound a la RACCOMANDATA RICEVUTA di RITORNO (for the sparse jazzy parts and for the vocals). Well, this is the point, I think. Not a keyboards' based band, this time, despite some good mellotron's soundscapes thanks to Ettore Vigo who also brought this instrument to a high level of quality when released with Delirium their last studio album. It's not a case it was 1974 also.

On about Procession we will say that they sound pleasant within acoustic guitar and flute wisely alternating compelling tenor saxes interludes and fine electric guitar' solos through the most delicate parts to the most "aggressive" ones. Great drums and bass' lines, let's say.

All in all, this is a very convincing work and it's certainly one of the most overlooked italian prog gems from the classic years. Highly recommended. Andrea Cortese
Tracklist :
1    Uomini Di Vento    3:57
2    Un Mondo Sprecato 4:40
Performer – Franco Fernandez  
3    C'Era Una Volta 8:10
Performer – Ettore Vigo, Silvana Aliotta
4    Notturno    8:08
5    Il Volo Della Paura    4:53
6    Fiaba 5:26
 Performer – Franco Fernandez
Credits :
Bass – Paolo D'Angelo
Guest, Percussion – Francesco Froggio Francica
Guitar – Roby Munciguerra
Lyrics By [Testi] – Marina Comin
Music By, Arranged By – Procession
Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Flute – Maurizio Gianotti
Voice – Gianfranco Gaza