Il Giro Strano -
Il Pianeta Della Verita


(CD 2021, 78:51, Black Widow Records BWRCD 230-2)

The tracks:
  1- XIII Transistor(12:23)
  2- Corridoio Nero(11:54)
  3- Divina Commedia(13:48)
  4- Vecchio Oldsea(9:21)
  5- Il Pianeta Della Verità(7:19)
  6- You're Gonna Find(7:01)
  7- Shadow Of A Dream(5:13)
  8- Lo Strano Giro(2:53)
  9- Sunshine! Sunshine!(3:32)
10- Trasmutazione, Pt. 1(2:07)
11- Trasmutazione, Pt. 2(3:14)
Downloads:
12- Il Calvario(2:13)
13- Since I've Been Lovin' You(7:04)

Black Widow Records
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Il Giro Strano is an Italian band originally from Savona and was formed in 1971 from the merger of two groups, The Tramps and Voodoo. But also One Way and other bands might have been important in the origin of this band. In those days, the band had no chance of releasing any albums, however, they left various tape recordings on reels and audio cassettes. Il Pianeta Della Verita, their only album, is a collection of recordings from 1972-1973. All tracks have been digitized, equalized and mastered in order to obtain the best possible sound quality. Maybe some of you out there might say that the album La Divina Commedia was their only release. You are probably right because back in 1992, the only album of Il Giro Strano was already released, however with a different album title but with the same compositions on it. However without the extra bonus tracks which you can find on Il Pianeta Della Verita.

For this review I will go through the main tracks which appeared on the original release for the first time back in 1992.

On the first track XIII Transistor it is worth noting the excellent interweaving of the saxophone (Mariano Maio) and the Hammond organ (Alessio Feltri). Passing from rock in the first part to pure jazz in the second part, where the sax is more present. In the third part he takes up the initial motif and then again it is more jazz that rules. The powerful voice of Mirko Ostinet is not really bad but it does not always fit to the music presented throughout this piece of music and also on most of the other compositions.

The beautiful flute solo (Mariano Maio) in Corridoio Nero reminded me of Focus and Jethro Tull. However I wasn't really waiting for the drum solo (Delio Sismondo) in the middle of the track.

The third track La Divina Commedia is overwhelming, probably the most beautiful of the album with speed changes and a sax that is very well inserted within the melody. Here the organ again has also a leading part and the electric guitar more or less sounds for the first time upfront in the mix. Again Focus, early King Crimson and Deep Purple seems to be the main influences on this piece of music.

The fourth track Vecchio Oldsea starts slowly with the guitar and then gives way to the flute that accompanies a frenetic rhythm, and finally returns to the guitar.
Short sung parts (in English and not in an objectionable way) in the second half of the piece.

The fifth track Il Pianeta Della Verità begins without too much convincing but then gains momentum with a catchy and repetitive riff accompanied by saxophone up to mid-song to make room for a more noteworthy drum solo. Here Deep Purple seemed to be one of the main influences thanks to the strong organ sound reminiscences of the late Jon Lord.

The six bonus tracks are definitely of less musical quality and above all the sound quality is also less compared to the first five tracks on this release. However they are included because they are of the historical and artistic value.

For those who haven't had enough of the eight tracks on this CD and want even more of this band they can download the two compositions Il Calvario and Since I've Been Lovin' You with the code included in the booklet. Unfortunately I didn't hear them and therefore Can't tell how they sound.

Some people might consider this release as a lost gem in the history of R.P.I. and compare the music to bands such as Flea, Rocky's Filj, Procession, Ibis and New Trolls. Sure the music that you hear on Il Pianeta Della Verita is without doubt Italian progressive rock music with jazz nuances. However for myself I think the music made by Il Giro Strano is also reminiscent to bands such as Focus, early King Crimson and Deep Purple. All I can say judge for yourself if this is a lost gem in the history of R.P.I. and if the acts mentioned come to mind as well. Most of all for lovers of strong performances on the saxophone and organ (Hammond and Farfisa).

*** Henri Strik (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen)

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