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Review:
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What a remarkable return: in 1994 Italian band Algebra
released their debut CD entitled, then they disbanded but
in 2009 Algebra produced this new album with the very short
title JL. It’s a concept story based upon Richard Bach his
work Jonathan Livingston Seagull.***
The first, pretty atmospheric track Il Molo Deserto
contains wonderful flute and harder-edged guitar runs, it
turns out that is performed by … Steve Hackett, what a surprise
to discover this guitar legend on a relatively unknown Italian
progrock album! But more surprises are underway, in the
next, dreamy song Jonathan (fragile classical guitar, compelling
work on the harmonica and in the end sensitive solos on
electric guitar and violin) I got the idea that I hear Le
Orme’s singer/bass player Aldo Tagliapietra and indeed,
to my delight he IS the singer and what a great and very
distinctive voice this man legend has, I am on the albums
Felona E Sorona and Uomo Di Pezza! Also the song Il Volo
Perfetto has a surprise, now it’s other Classic Italian
Prog legend Osanna their singer Lino Vairetti who delivers
a strong contribution to Il Volo Perfetto, wonderfully blended
with pleasant organ and a strongly build-up saxophone solo.
The final surprise is the collaboration of Steve Hackett’s
brother John on flute in the compositions La Gogna (compelling
with passionate vocals), Ritorno Allo Stormo (beautiful
classical orchestrations, a swirling flute solo and fiery
guitar leads) and Nel Vento Della Grande Montagna (catchy
beat with delicate synthesizer sounds). Remarkable on this
CD is the huge variety: a modern sound collage in the instrumental
Aria Nuova, male opera vocals in Al Naufragio Del Mio Sogno,
percussion and xylophone in Un Battito D’Ali, fretless bass
and sultry saxophone in the jazzy Ciang, tender piano with
warm strings in the soaring Soffi Da Oriente, rock guitar
in the swinging Un’Infinita Idea Di Liberta and pure symphonic
rock in Un’Altra Dimensione (wonderful keyboard sound and
moving guitar work) and Atto Finale (compelling bombastic
climate with splendid guitar).***
In my opinion Algebra have taken revenge for their
mediocre effort in 1994, this 2009 album sounds strong and
varied.*** Rating: 3 of 5 Stars! [3 of 5 Stars!]
Erik
Neuteboom
Progwalhalla.nl
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