Mangala Vallis - The Book of Dreams (2002)

Mangala Vallis is an Italian neo-progressive/symphonic rock group. Although I label them neo-progressive because of clear similarities to Spock's Beard, they also have a very 70s progressive feel with a lot of similarity to Genesis and Gentle Giant. Part of this may have to do with their use of vintage instruments. Still, as steeped in older progressive sounds as they are, they still have a freshness about them that immediately drew me in.

The Book of Dreams is their debut recording and is currently out of print and nearly impossible to find. It is dedicated to the memory of writer Jules Verne, and each track is based on one of his classic books (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Around the World in 80 Days, & A Journey to the Center of the Earth).

Credits (Group Members):

• Gigi Cavalli Cocchi / drums, percussions (Remo, Paiste, Vic Firth)
• Enzo Cattini/ Hammond C-3 w/Leslie, Minimoog-D, Mellotron M-400, Akai S-2000, E-MU Vintage Keys, Gem S-3
• Mirco Consolini / guitars & bass

 Credits: (Guest Artists):

• Matteo Setti / vocals (2, 3)
• Stefano Menato / saxophone (5)
• Vic Fraja / vocals (4 - 5, 7)
• Elisa Giordanella / viola (2, 6)
• Kimberly Duke / narrator

 Track List:

1. Ouverture (1:40)
2. Is the End the Beginning? (9:30)
3. The Book of Dreams (7:07)
4. The Journey (12:14)
5. Days of Light (9:06)
6. Under the Sea (3:36)
7. Asha (Coming Back Home)(8:24)
8. A New Century (10:22)

 Download Links: Part 1, Part 2.

Arti and Mestieri - Giro di Valzer per Domani (1975)

My weakness for Italian progressive rock is showing again. Just found a copy of Giro di Valzer per Domani by Arti and Mestieri and just had to share it. Unlike a lot of other progressive groups their songs are on the shorter side, but are nevertheless well crafted.

 

The sextet Arti & Mestieri was formed in 1974 in Torino, Italy, by drummer Furio Chirico, following his departure from the Trip. Drawing membership from the cream of the local jazz rock scene, Arti & Mestieri frequently found themselves sharing a bill with Area, the long-running kings of that particular arena. However, their renown was such that they also opened for a number of visiting acts, most notably Gentle Giant. An intereswting tidbit considering that Gentle Giant is one of my favorites and I still remember a concert I attended in the 70s where Starcastle opened for them.

 

Track List:

1. Valzer Per Domani
2. Mirafiori
3. Saper Sentire
4. Nove Lune Prima
5. Mescal
6. Mescalero
7. Nove Lune Dopo
8. Dimensione Terra
9. Aria Pesante
10. Consapevolezza Parte 1a
11. Sagra
12. Consapevolezza Parte 2a
13. Rinuncia
14. Marilyn
15. Terminal

 Download Links: Part 1, Part 2.

 

Other Recordings by Arti and Mestieri:

• Tilt
• Giro Di Valzer Per D
• Live/1974-2000
• First Live in Japan
• Articollezione
• Quinto Stato
• Estrazioni
• Giro di Valzer per Domani
• Acquario
• Murales

La Torre dell' Alchimista - La Torre dell' Alchimista (2001)

La Torre dell'Alchimista (translated as "The Alchemist's Tower") was founded in Bergamo, Italy in 1997 by Michele Giardino, Davide Donadoni and Michele Mutti to record original symphonic progressive rock in the grand tradition of Italian legends Le Orme, PFM and Banco del Mutuo Soccorso. The featured recording in this post was released in 2001 and is now out of print. The music is a nice throwback to the Italian progressive rock of the 70s and is a very enjoyable recording.

Line-up / Musicians:

- Ceraolo Silva / flute
- Donadoni Davide / bass, alto clarinet (4)
- Giardino Michele / lead vocals, chorus, acoustic guitar (1 & 8)
- Mosconi Noberto / drums, acoustic guitar (4)
- Mutti Michele / hammond organ, fender piano, piano, keyboards, mellotron, synthesizer

Track List:

1. Eclisse
2. Delirio in C -
3. La Torre dell'Alchimista
4. Il volo
5. L'apprendista
6. I figli della mezzanotte
7. La persistenza della memoria
8. Lo gnomo
9. Acquario

 Sources: Official website of "La Torre dell'Alchimista," ProgArchives.com.

Download Link: Enjoy the Music!

 Other Italian Progressive Rock Recordings of Note:

• Neo
• Felona e Sorona
• Uomo Di Pezza
• L' Infinito
• Elementi
• Photos of Ghosts
• Per un Amico
• PFM 10 Anni Live Vol. 4 1977 - 1978 Jet Lag Tour/Passpartù Tour - 1980 - 1981 verso Un Nuovo Rock - Performance Tour
• World Became the World
• PFM 10 Anni Live/Vol.1 1971/1972-L'Infinito Tour Italiano
• Banco del Mutuo Soccorso
• Darwin!
• Di Terra
• Made in Italy
• Io Sono Nato Libero