About six years ago I spoke of Colombo's second album Botte da Orbi. The debut is similar in its approach, that of densely written compositions, and that are clearly charted for the participants at hand. Of which there are twelve musicians on this outing. Once again, Frank Zappa must be front and center in this discussion, as are other Italian contemporaries such as Franco Battiato and Tullio de Piscopo. Since it's a debut effort, Sfogatevi Bestie is much more rough around the edges, and there's more room for letting their hair fly. The album is more jazz than chamber influenced, that is to say, though clearly it still belongs to progressive rock. Though not the classic Italian style that we're more familiar with. Side 2 also shows Battiato's influence with some free improvisation bits, without ever going too far to the point of annoyance. Sfogatevi Bestie definitely fits in that weird grouping of "unclassifiable" late 70s Italian albums - a record that has improved with age, to my ears anyway.Ownership: 1976 Ultima Spiaggia (LP)
1993 (acquired); 7//05; 4/18/21 (review)
For those that constantly bellyache that most progressive rock is poorly composed, and is really a bunch of amateurs piecing disparate sections of music together, then may I suggest Roberto Colombo's sophomore release? This is a seriously dense work, and is clearly charted and most certainly required a music stand for the participants. Frank Zappa at his most complex must be in the conversation, though one can hear some of the Italian RIO / Jazz / Avant prog bands of the day, for example Picchio dal Pozzo, Orchestra Njervudarov, Agora, and Tullio De Piscopo - the latter even guests on the album. No jamming or grooves here, and the melodies are too brief, but powerful. Awesome production as well. Much of the avant prog genre is too high brow for me, but Botte da Orbi is thoroughly enjoyable, though lacking any notable peaks.
Ownership: 1999 Mju:zik (CD). Small wallet like cover. Apparently this was sold with a magazine initially.
2000 (acquired); 1//06; 9/25/15 (review)
9/25/15 (new entry)
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