Prog p 10

The multi-national, Finland-based recording project did it again, a marvelous, superbly produced album of first class retro-natured symphonic prog composed and co- performed by excellent prog musicians from various countries including e.g. Argentine, Netherlands, Italy and Japan. 'Another Time' (written by Ronaldo Rodrigues and Steve Unruh who also sings) evolves dynamically from mellowness to energetic instrumental section and features Marek Arnold on saxophone. Oliviero Lacagnina composed a pompous symph prog instrumental 'Dear Amadeus' inspired by Mozart. One may think of 70's RPI bands such as Latte e Miele…

An original mix of soft progressive and avantgarde atmospheres is the distinctive sound of Pierrot Lunaire, highly regarded among foreign collectors. Still, over the course of their two albums, this band draw from a broad set of influences as diverse as Faust, PFM and Debussy for their eclectic, unpredictable sound.
Pierrot Lunaire's first album contains really beautiful instrumentation. The second ("Gudrun") is one of the most adventurous records of Italian progressive. "Gudrun" is one of those masterpieces where only one classification seems appropriate: extraordinary music. In any case, Pierrot Lunaire's two albums are a must for adventurous listeners.

On the 5th and 6th of November 2010, a special event took place in Rome, Italy. For the first time in the history of progressive rock music, some of the best Italian bands performed during the first edition of Prog Exhibition. A selection of international musicians was invited to guest together with these bands. PFM had flautist Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) on stage and Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso had asked singer-bassist John Wetton (ex- U.K, ex- King Crimson). Aldo Tagliapietra, Tony Pagliuca and Tolo Marton, former members of Le Orme, were joined by violinist David Cross (ex- King Crimson). Keyboardist Gianni Leone (Balletto Di Bronzo) played keyboards and David Jackson (ex- Van Der Graaf Generator) saxophone and flute with Osanna. Nuova Raccomandata Ricevuta Di Ritorno played together with flautist Thijs van Leer (Focus)…

The Chicago Transit Authority recorded this double-barreled follow-up to their eponymously titled 1969 debut effort. The contents of Chicago II (1970) underscore the solid foundation of complex jazz changes with heavy electric rock & roll that the band so brazenly forged on the first set. The septet also continued its ability to blend the seemingly divergent musical styles into some of the best and most effective pop music of the era. One thing that had changed was the band's name, which was shortened to simply Chicago to avoid any potential litigious situations from the city of Chicago's transportation department – which claimed the name as proprietary property. Musically, James Pankow (trombone) was about to further cross-pollinate the band's sound with the multifaceted six-song "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon." The classically inspired suite also garnered the band two of its most beloved hits – the upbeat pop opener "Make Me Smile" as well as the achingly poignant "Color My World" – both of which remained at the center of the group's live sets.

Presumably the Bad Plus wanted to make a very specific statement when they titled this album Prog. Although there is no confusing its music for what has typically passed for progressive jazz or progressive rock in decades past, Prog embodies the true meaning of the word: it takes music forward - not just theirs, but music itself. How they do that is relatively simple, despite the music's complexity: they go where they want to go, where others have yet even to consider going. That means throwing out conventional notions of what a jazz piano trio can and should do. That the Bad Plus is comprised of three exemplary musicians - pianist Ethan Iverson, bassist Reid Anderson and drummer David King - is never in doubt. Their chops are on display at every turn - and there are many turns, unexpected and exhilarating ones that produce seismic shifts without losing focus…