*. Claudio Rocchi .*

Album: Il miele dei pianeti, Le isole, Le api (1974)
Genre: Prog Rock (Folk/Psych./Exp.)  /  Italy

After a series of albums that were quite similar in their general style, one can sense something is afoot with this one. This would be a transitional album, however it would be the next one where Rocchi really started to throw a 'U-turn' at his fans, to use his own words. Here Rocchi, helped by members of the band Aktuala, would begin to pull the mystical, improvisational drone-folk back from the edges of space and reassert a more deliberate song structure here and there. We still have the rhythmic and trance catalyst in 'Lila' with strummed acoustics, tablas, some nice flute, and even the participation of Grace the dog. And 'La Rana' seems to recall an even simpler, uneventful folk music. But other tracks like the opener introduce a different flavor from the previous few albums. These moments are loose and off-kilter semi-rock parts with prominent bass and a vibe that floats closer to something like 'Friends' from Zeppelin 3. The sax and strings accompanying them add more richness. On 'Adesso' things get even more refreshingly upbeat and dare I say jamming, I'll call this almost funk-folk as the toes get tapping to some nice big bass. I know many people love the unique psych-folk Rocchi but I have to say I find the wider variety of the album more endearing. Then there is the lovely 'Ogni Strada' which is very soft and dreamlike with a nice adornment of strings. Rocchi's albums are strange and difficult albums for me to completely grasp. On paper they should be right up my alley but there is something that always keeps me a bit at arms length. That said they are all good and should be investigated by RPI fans and psych-folk fans. The artwork is also wonderful. The next two albums would abruptly shift into electronic experimentation and avant-garde material, which had to be something of a shock for Rocchi fans at the time. I think the move was exciting and well worth the risk. Review by "Finnforest" (Prog Archives).

RATING:  7.75 / 10

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