Cervello – Melos

An amazing and timeless masterpiece out of 70's Italian progressive rock scene and also one of my favorite italian album since my first listenning in 1988.

This is not exactly the prog rock classic it's supposed to be. It's very lightweight, with weak melodies and no heavy keyboard or guitar work. I'd call it "Semi-Progressive Pop" instead...and its no wonder that Corrado turned to producing Italo-Pop like Kenny G...but I'll give it a 3/5 for old times sake.

I just love these LPs with gimmick covers, what's even better is the music inside is great, and this is one of them! The original LP on the Dischi Ricordi label is hard to come by, about as difficult to find as Museo Rosenbach's Zarathustra (same label), but while expensive, has not shot through the stratosphere like Zarathustra. Dig the cover where the tomato can folds open to reveal a photo of the band smothered in plastic wrap.

Cervello featured Corrado Rustici, future member of Nova, as well as session musician. He's the younger brother of Osanna's Danilo Rustici, and he also played with Osanna at one point (he guested on Landscape of Life, their final album from the classic era before periodic reunions). Musically it's not all that dissimilar to Osanna's sound circa Palepoli, although without the Mellotron. That strange droning sound seems to come from some bass pedals (not Moog Taurus, as it's a bit too early for that). Corrado Rustici was rather open with his love of John McLaughlin, as it shows in his guitar playing, but this isn't fusion. Like Osanna, plenty of sax and flute playing. There are many people who prefer this to Palepoli, and while I love Palepoli, I can understand where they're coming from. This album successfully captures that atmosphere, but is easier to get into. There are seven cuts and while this band can rock hard, might be a little less abrasive. Plus you get those mellower flute and guitar ages. Apparently Corrado Rustici was under 18 when they recorded this, so it really shocks me to see teenagers playing music like this (Semiramis was another example). Certainly it don't have the recognition of PFM, Banco, Le Orme, or even Museo Rosenbach, for that matter, but this album is a total must have!