*. Gruppo D'alternativa .* (Reissue)

Album: Ipotesi (1972)(Reissue 2007)
Genre: Prog Rock (Eclectic/Rio Avant Prog/Canterbury/Folk)  /  Italy

Some consider this album to be the first Rio recording. Released in 1972 "Ipotesi" was a concept album(Rock Opera) about the singers friend who died in a car crash. This album represented just a part of the Rock Opera that was presented on stage. The band was very influenced by Miles Davis and loved to improvise which was an important part of their live show. The bassoon player would go on to play for STORMY SIX. I've noticed a few people aren't into the vocals but i love them. Powerful and unique yet you know they're Italian. "Quando Le Parole" opens with spoken words,soon another person is speaking at the same time. The music kicks in after a minute then settles quickly. It builds to the end. "Incidente" opens with vocals and a pastoral soundscape.Guitar and drums join in before a minute as the tempo picks up. The vocals are outstanding here. Organ only after 1 1/2 minutes. "Infanzia" is organ and flute lead early. The tempo picks up after a minute as piano and a fuller sound joins in. It settles 2 minutes in with strummed guitar and flute. The vocals after 3 minutes are reserved. "Voglia Di Essere" kicks in right away with drums and organ standing out. It settles with guitar and vocals. Flute 1 1/2 minutes in. Organ follows as vocals continue. The tempo picks up then we get this jazzy section before 2 1/2 minutes. It's brief though as it settles again with vocals before picking back up one more time. "Solitudine" opens with faint sounds before the vocals arrive before a minute. The tempo picks up a minute later before settling again. It kicks back in at 3 1/2 minutes,electric guitar too. Organ takes over late. "Appare La Forma" is an instrumental that sounds pretty incredible with the guitar,piano,drums and bass standing out. Organ joins in as well. It ends as it began. "La Tua Lotta" opens with flute,light drums and piano as vocals join in. This is laid back. The tempo then picks up. Love his vocals(did i mention that?). It settles as contrasts continue. Organ after 3 1/2 minutes followed by a calm. The tempo picks up 5 minutes in before settling again with some nasty organ before 6 minutes. And yes it picks up one more time. "Messaggio Libero" opens with acoustic guitar and reserved vocals. The instrumental work here gets twisted, maybe avant is the word.It builds with electric guitar. Great section. "Ipotesi" ends the album with acoustic guitar melodies. I appreciate Todd's enthusiasm for this album and thank him for the recommendation. Review by "Mellotron Storm" (Prog Archives).

RATING:  7.75 / 10

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