Arti + Mestieri ~ Italy

Giro di Valzer per Domani (1975)

Giro di Valzer per Domani is the second release from Art + Mestieri and is a slight improvement on Tilt. You won't get too far into an album by this group without noticing Furio Chirco's busy drum style, and that's one of the positive trademarks here as well. Other distinguishing factors include Giovanni Vigliar's violin, and Beppe Crovella's songwriting. This isn't the bombastic Italian prog we associate the scene with, but rather shorter vignette's are presented that are highly melodic. There are 15 tracks here, and all of them are well composed, and easy on the ears. There's a jazz rock underpinning but mostly this still belongs to the progressive rock genre.

Ownership: 1975 Cramps (LP). Gatefold with lyric inner bag. Acquired in 1989.

5/22/89; 3/20/07; 12/5/17; 9/16/22 (review)

Tilt (1974)

Arti + Mestieri's debut is a combination of the international fusion sound that had taken on like wildfire across Europe in the early 1970s - with traditional Italian prog rock compositions and themes. And with wonderful soft affected Italian vocals. It's the latter element that makes this album special. Unfortunately it's also the minority stakeholder, and thus the album is dominated by the instrumental musicianship. To their credit, Arti + Mestieri are more melodic than most bands in the jazz rock field, and with Furio Chirico behind the drum kit, one wants to buy a ticket just to watch him go bananas with the drum sticks. The album is 2 parts fusion and 1 part Italian prog. Had it been a reverse ratio, the album would have been a true masterpiece in my estimation. As it stands, it's merely just excellent. Without a doubt, an essential album for fans of both fusion and progressive rock.

Concerning the differences on pressings, here's what I shared on Discogs: "There are at least two covers for this: One has "Distribuzione Dischi Ricordi spa Made in Italy". This cover is shorter by a half inch than the traditional size. The other has "Made in Italy/Distribut. Baby Records srl Milano - P.zza Repubblica 26 - Tel. (02) 6571402-6571491" This cover is a normal size. Both have the same time stamp etched in the vinyl, and the same inner sleeve. And the same catalog number (not the 1978 reissue)". And why would this be? Because many albums in Europe were pressed in different plants at the same time to meet production demands. So there's these interesting little details that have emerged over the years.

Ownership: 1975 Cramps (LP). With printed inner sleeve. Upgraded in 2005; First purchased in 1988.

1//88; 8/4/17 (review)

Also own: Universi Paralelli

8/4/17 (new entry)