BTF NEWSLETTER 2 Luglio 2010

Welcome to our newsletter. 50 VM-AMS vinyls among the best italian progressive classics! If you missed some titles now is the time to grab it! Benvenuti alla nostra newsletter. 50 VM-AMS vinili fra i migliori classici di progressive rock italiano. Se vi siete lasciati sfuggire qualche titolo ora è il momento di agguantarlo!

PROGRESSIVE   A very important artist from Naples, Alan Sorrenti released his first album in 1972 on the legendary Harvest label. Aria is an absolute Italian Prog classic, with two different sides: the first only contained the long title track, a dreamy psych-suite starting with acoustic guitar and based on the marvellous instrument-like voice of Sorrenti, and exploding in the final part with a memorable violin solo by Jean Luc Ponty. Side 2 was softer, with three tracks, two of which also appeared on a single: whereas �Vorrei Incontrati� is particulary nice. A great record, never reissued on vinyl before, now on a great sounding 180g high quality vinyl! Artista napoletano notissimo, Alan Sorrenti debutt� nel 1972 sulla mitica etichetta Harvest. Aria � un grandioso classic del prog Italiano, con due lati molto diversi: la prima con il lungo brano omonimo, una suite eterea che comincia con la chitarra acustica e mette in evidenza la splendida voce di Alan, usata come strumento, esplodendo nel finale con l'indimenticabile assolo di violino di Jean Luc Ponty; la seconda facciata � pi� soft, con tre canzoni, due delle quali uscite anche su 45 giri: dove �Vorrei Incontrati� � particolarmente bella. Un grande disco, mai ristampato su vinile, ora in vinile audiofilo 180g!

LP > PROGRESSIVE   A trio from Turin, formed in 1970 by keyboard player Alluminio (hence the name of the band) and drummer Ostorero with various guitarists, they only lasted for a couple of years and their only album, Scolopendra, was issued when they had already split. The album is very well made, mainly based on Hammond organ and other keyboards, with good instrumental parts with an outstanding second part. A must-have for lovers of Italian prog! Finally in gatefold sleeve faithful to the original cover.

PROGRESSIVE   According to one of our sources Alphataurus came from Genova, though we tend to think they were from Milan, but in any case they were one of the many unknown Italian bands who suddenly had a recording deal, made an album and disappeared into oblivion. Their only album, Alphataurus, the first on the newly born Magma label, is a masterpiece, so well crafted and played that it seems impossible that's been made by a group of unknowns. The singer Bavaro has a very original voice, keyboard player Pietro Pellegrini plays with competence and no self-indulgence, guitar-playing of Guido Wasserman is well cared and the rhythm section of Oliva and Santandrea creates a powerful background. The album includes five long compositions of which Peccato d'orgoglio and La mente vola are the best, the latter featuring a nice moog intro and a stunning vibes solo. Soon after this the band split while recording a second album. Reissue in triple gatefold cover as the original album.

PROGRESSIVE   Now available from BTF: a classic italian prog album in a new deluxe reissue LP limited edition. Alusa Fallax's "Intorno alla mia cattiva educazione" has been faithfully reissued in 180 gr. vinyl edition and it's packaged in a superbe gatefold cover sleeve.

PROGRESSIVE   "1978, gli dei se ne vanno gli arrabbiati restano", was Area first album on the new label. It contained a couple of interesting prog-inspired tracks, like the opening Il bandito del deserto and Hommage à Violette Nozières, mixed with others in a stronger free-jazz direction. It was the last album which features Demetrio Stratos who died in 1979. Faithfully restored in the original gatefold sleeve cover.

PROGRESSIVE   AREA were one of the more varied Italian bands with their distinctive mix of prog and jazz genres. Without a question AREA’s early 70’s work is pure classic Ital prog. "Tic & Tac" was released in 1980 after Demetrio Stratos death. Sounding something in between SOFT MACHINE and UZEB this album moves and moves and never really stops and takes a breath. The band lineup included Patrizio Fariselli (acoustic piano, M.C.S. 70 synthesizer and electric piano), Larry Nocella (tenor sax), Giulio Capiozzo (drums), Ares Tavolazzi (electric bass, double bass, guitar), Guido Guidoboni (trumpet), Luciano Biasutti (trumpet). Reprinted in beautiful LP version. "Tic & Tac" è senza dubbio il disco meno conosciuto degli Area. Uscì in un periodo non troppo felice per la band: il loro mitico cantante, Demetrio Stratos, era appena morto di leucemia, e l'ottimo chitarrista Paolo Tofani se n'era già andato da tempo. In effetti, circolano voci di corridoio non confermate, che il gruppo prima di registrare il disco, avesse deciso di sciogliersi. Non si sa poi come siano andate le cose, ma "Tic & Tac" uscì nel 1980. Il suono è un po’ a metà fra I Soft Machine e gli UZEB. La formazione unclude Patrizio Fariselli (acoustic piano, M.C.S. 70 synthesizer and electric piano), Larry Nocella (tenor sax), Giulio Capiozzo (drums), Ares Tavolazzi (electric bass, double bass, guitar), Guido Guidoboni (trumpet), Luciano Biasutti (trumpet).Nonostante sia un disco anni 80 di elettronico ha ben poco: Fariselli sperimenta sì con i sintetizzatori, ma lo fa in modo discreto, mai invadente, lasciando sempre un grande spazio a gli altri. Soprattutto Ares Tavolazzi da un contributo a quest'album: infatti il buon Ares (che molti continuano a ricordarselo come uno degli autori della sigla di "Ufo Robot") oltre ad "armeggiare" magistralmente i suoi bassi e contrabbassi, incide pure alcune parti di chitarra ritmica, canta (ahimé, devo ammettere che questo poteva anche risparmiarselo) e firma due superbe composizioni. Che dire poi del drumming precisissimo e del magistrale groove del compianto Giulio Capiozzo? Probabilmente Giulio era uno dei più grandi (se non IL più grande) batteristi italiani, e nonostante quanto affermato da qualche rivista degli anni 80, il suo stile resta ancora attualissimo e senza dubbio grande fonte di ispirazione per i giovani batteristi d'oggi. Una delle novità è l'aggiunta di un sassofonista, il bravissimo Larry Nocella.

PROGRESSIVE   In 1974 a new incarnation of Garybaldi was formed by Bambi Fossati along with old cohort Maurizio Cassinelli, bassist Roberto Ricci and indian percussionist Ramasandiran Somusundaram as Bambibanda & Melodie. Their only album has the usual leading role for Bambi's guitar, but the use of percussion gives a more latin-inspired feel that sometimes reminds Santana. Finally a well worth listening. reprint in the original cover. 180 gr. vinyl.

PROGRESSIVE   Campo di Marte self-titled album is considered to be one of the best italian progressive records of the Seventies. This italian prog classic is now available from the AMS indie label in a new ltd. ed. deluxe LP reissue on 180 gr. vinyl. Order your copy now. NOW BACK IN STOCK!

LP > PROGRESSIVE   Many italian music fans only know Capsicum Red by name because their singer and guitarist Red Canzian had a very successful career (until now!) with pop band Pooh, and this four-piece from Treviso didn't catch so much interest in their short career. The name Capsicum Red was chosen by the producer Pino Massara when he discovered Canzian, singer and guitarist with I Prototipi, and took him to his newly-born label Bla Bla in 1970. After assembling a proper group with keyboardist Mauro Bolzan, bassist Walter Gasparini and drummer Paolo Podda (later replaced by Paolo Steffan and Roberto Balocco, the latter from Panna Fredda), Canzian strongly moved, with the Appunti per un'idea fissa LP towards progressive music with classical influences. Side 1 contains the long Beethoven-derived Patetica suite, a very interesting piece of classical prog with keyboards to the fore. Side 2 is interesting too with three shorter songs.

PROGRESSIVE   Along with Museo Rosenbach, Celeste were born from the ashes of the legendary Il Sistema. Formed by drummer Ciro Perrino and sax player Leonardo Lagorio (who had played with Museo Rosenbach in their early days) this four piece went in a totally different direction from their beginnings, playing a mostly acoustic, dreamy and delicate prog. Their first album, Celeste, also known as Principe di un giorno, was released in 1976, but the tracks had been composed in 1973 and recorded in 1974. It contains seven tracks, with pastoral lyrics and a style not far from the softer side of early King Crimson. Nowadays it is considered as one of the best Italian prog records ever. Very rare in its original pressing, Principe di un giorno is finally reissued in a heavy 180g Viny.

PROGRESSIVE   Though the LP cover notes only list two musicians' names, singer Tony Tartarini (previously known as Toni Gionta and former singer with L'Uovo di Colombo) and drummer Carlo Bordini (that also played in a duo Rustichelli & Bordini), the group also included three members of Goblin, keyboard wizard Claudio Simonetti, guitarist Morante and bass player Pignatelli, with the first two of them being credited as composers for all the album tracks. In fact the group, named Oliver, had been created by Simonetti and Morante, that also went to England in late 1973. With new singer Tartarini the group recorded what was to become their first and only album in 1974, after a name change to Goblin, but it was soon shelved when Carlo Bordini refused to sign a contract with Cinevox as it could damage his career as session musician. The others went on with a new drummer, leaving out Bordini and Tartarini and recorded Profondo rosso. The unreleased album was shelved for a couple of years, and only released in January 1976 with the name of Cherry Five (a name that really didn't belong to any real group), and only Tartarini and Bordini were credited on the cover, maybe someone thought that it could damage the Goblin's career! Even if it's not particularly representative of the Italian prog sound, the LP is a genuine rarity due to the great world success Goblin achieved with some of their soundtrack works, and is in many collectors' want lists. A keyboard based album, sung in English, Cherry Five has strong influences by the likes of Genesis and Yes, especially in the fluid keyboard parts and powerful bass sound. It contains six long tracks with the opening Country graveyard and The picture of Dorian Gray. This last title, translated in Italian as Il Ritratto di Dorian Gray was in fact the name of Claudio Simonetti's first band. [Source: www.italianprog.com]

PROGRESSIVE   The name of Città Frontale brings together two groups from Naples from two different periods. The first was organized at the beginning of the seventies and included keyboard player Gianni Leone plus other four musicians. With the addition of Elio D’Anna this group will later become Osanna. After some brief live work the group broke up without leaving any kind of recordings. In 1974, following Osanna ‘s break up, Vairetti and Guarino brought together some new names from the always fertile scene of Naples to reform a new Città Frontale group. Among these musicians there was also the ex Saint Just member Gianni Guarracino. Their only album was released by Fonit in 1975 titled El Tor. Musically it contained two sides which are completely different: on the first one, the group is influenced by funky and jazz with strong horns parts, while the second one is more acoustic, in a “californian” style. The lyrics underline their strong social and political involvement. After El Tor the band disbanded since Vairetti and Guarino went to reform Osanna. Now BTF reprint this wonderful album in the usual faithful cover.

LP > PROGRESSIVE   Still available from BTF for a classic italian prog album in a new deluxe reissue LP edition. Dalton's "Riflessioni: idea d'infinito" has been faithfully reissued in 180 gr. vinyl edition that even reproduces the historic orange vintage vinyl and it's packaged in a superbe gatefold cover sleeve.

PROGRESSIVE   Third album released in 1974, called Delirium III (Viaggio negli arcipelaghi del tempo) and judged by many as their most mature work. La battaglia degli eterni piani contains a dark-inspired atmosphere never heard in their previous releases, the flute has again a prominent role and the sax is only present in Viaggio n.2. This is also the first album to feature electric guitar, as Mimmo Di Martino, the guitar player, only played the acoustic in previous albums.Finally in deluxe papersleeve and extended liner notes.

PROGRESSIVE   After their first album, Dolce Acqua, from 1971 and their memorable TV presence at Sanremo music festival gave around mid-1972 Ivano Fossati suddenly had to leave Delirium for his military service, later to pursue a solo career that's still successful today, even with a lighter (but always full of jazzy and ethnic influences) kind of music. His replacement was Englishman Martin Frederick Grice (from Boomerang) who, along with the ever present flute, was also a brilliant sax player. With this renewed line-up they released their second album, Lo scemo e il villaggio, still with some jazz influences and a stronger use of sax by the new member Grice, with the evident lack of a role singer in the band, all members taking the lead singer role. The track La mia pazzia is the closest to first album's style. Source: www.italianprog.com Deluxe 180g vinyl in gatefold cover. Dopo l�uscita del loro primo album, Dolce acqua, e la loro memorabile apparizione televisiva al festival di Sanremo, verso la met� del 1972 Ivano Fossati dovette lasciare improvvisamente il gruppo per il servizio militare, a cui sarebbe seguita una carriera solistica che prosegue con successo ancora oggi, con uno stile pi� leggero, ma sempre pieno di riferimenti al jazz ed influenze etniche. Il suo sostituto fu l'inglese Martin Frederick Grice (dei Boomerang) e che oltre al sempre presente flauto suonava molto bene anche il sax. Il secondo album Lo scemo e il villaggio presenta ancora influenze jazz ed un forte uso del sax di Grice, ma mostra anche l'evidente mancanza di un cantante di ruolo, con tutti i musicisti che a turno cantano. Il brano La mia pazzia � il pi� vicino allo stile del primo album. Fonte: www.italianprog.com Vinile 180g in copertina identica all�originale!

PROGRESSIVE   Delirium came from Genova, from a previous beat band called I Sagittari, and formed in 1970, releasing their first single a year later. Canto di Osanna, presented at first Viareggio pop festival was a successful single and gave the band an immediate notoriety. They had also won a Radio Montecarlo rock contest in 1971. First album, Dolce acqua, also from 1971 contains a good and original mix of prog, jazz and some tuneful melodies, the leading role of singer Ivano Fossati is evident, with his furious flute soloing being one of the band's most distinctive elements. The album, housed in a nice triple gatefold cover, is structured in various movements like a classical suite, but here and there some parts seem a little incoherent with the whole LP. Source: www.italianprog.com Deluxe 180g vinyl in triple gatefold cover. I Delirium vennero formati a Genova nel 1970, da un precedente gruppo beat chiamato I Sagittari, e realizzarono il primo 45 giri un anno pi� tardi. Canto di Osanna, presentato al primo Festival Pop di Viareggio fu un 45 giri di successo e diede al gruppo un'immediata popolarit�. Nello stesso anno il gruppo vinse il concorso rock di Radio Montecarlo. Il primo album, Dolce acqua, sempre nel 1971, contiene una buona ed originale miscela di prog, jazz e pop pi� melodico, � evidente il ruolo di leader del cantante Ivano Fossati, i cui furiosi assoli di flauto diventano uno degli elementi distintivi della musica del gruppo. L'album, contenuto in una bella copertina apribile in tre parti, � strutturato in vari movimenti come una suite classica, anche se qua e l� alcune parti sembrano fuori luogo con il resto. Fonte: www.italianprog.com Vinile 180g in copertina tripla identica all�originale!

PROGRESSIVE   First time ever reissue on LP for this Italian prog classic! Duello Madre, from Genua, only released a jazz-oriented album with just a single vocal track (probably the most convincing one on the LP), in 1973 on the Produttori Associati label (Maxophone). After the band split, the bass player Callero went to Il Volo, and drummer Lo Previte played in Nova. Duello Madre was a sort of superband, as it featured Marco Zoccheddu from Nuova Idea and Osage Tribe, Bob Callero - also from Osage Tribe - and drummer Dede Lo Previte from Circus 2000, along with sax and flute player Pippo Trentin. The great musicianship of the four-piece is evident throughout the album. Aquile blu, with uncredited vocals (probably by guitarist Zoccheddu) and nice sax solos is the best track, and Momento has a nice hypnotic bass pattern. [source: www.italianprog.com] This is italian jazz-prog at its best!! High quality, heavy 180g vinyl! Prima ristampa in LP per questo classico del prog italiano! I Duello Madre, da Genova, produssero un album jazzato con un unico brano vocale (forse il pi� convincente dell'LP), pubblicato nel 1973 per la Produttori Associati (Maxophone). Una sorta di supergruppo, della formazione facevano parte Marco Zoccheddu ex-Nuova Idea e Osage Tribe, Bob Callero anch'egli dagli Osage Tribe e il batterista Dede Lo Previte dei Circus 2000, insieme al sassofonista e flautista Pippo Trentin, e la grande qualit� dei musicisti � evidente in tutto l'album. Dopo lo scioglimento Bob Callero si un� al Volo, e il batterista Lo Previte ha suonato con i Nova. Aquile blu, l'unico pezzo cantato (in copertina non se ne parla, probabilmente la voce � del chitarrista Zoccheddu) ha degli ottimi assoli di sax � il brano di spicco, e Momento ha un bel giro di basso molto ipnotico [fonte: www.italianprog.com]. Ristampa in vinile alta qualit� 180g!

LP > PROGRESSIVE   New reissue in LP format for Edgar Allan Poe's italian progressive classic from 1973.

PROGRESSIVE   Another excellent LP reissue! Flea's second album is available again: hard-rock and progressive-rock perfectly blended in one of the masterwork albums of the original italian prog scene from the early Seventies.

LP > PROGRESSIVE   Now available from BTF: a classic italian prog album in a new deluxe reissue LP edition. Garybaldi's "Nuda" has been faithfully reissued in 180 gr. and it's packaged in a superbe triple gatefold cover sleeve, really effective and gorgeously displaying the original artwork.

LP > PROGRESSIVE   Now available from BTF: a classic italian prog album in a new deluxe reissue LP edition. Garybaldi's "Astrolabio" has been faithfully reissued in 180 gr. red vinyl edition and it's packaged in a superbe gatefold cover sleeve.

PROGRESSIVE   Gleemen, featuring Bambi Fossati on guitars, Maurizio Cassinelli on drums and voice, Lio Marchi on keyboards and Angelo Traverso on bass, had been musical pioneers in the field of Italian progressive pop during the mid 60's. They started playing The Rolling Stones and The Beatles' cover songs until the release of their very first 45rpm in 1967, with their version of a very famous and successful song, "Lady Madonna" - by The Beatles, of course! - something typical in the Italian Beat scene of those years. In 1970 they published a self-titled LP, an album still delivering some beat influences, but yet containing some new 'breaking-up' elements for that period. Tracing a thick line between the band's old and new course, guitarist Bambi decided to change the group's name into "Garybaldi". Here's what they wrote on the following 7" single "Martha Helmut / Corri Corri Corri" in 1971: we're not Gleemen anymore, since today our name is Garybaldi. Printed in gatefold edition LP.

PROGRESSIVE   Probably the most scary soundtrack Goblin has ever written (don't listen at it when the lights are down!), apparently it seems that the score was composed before the film was ready, so that director Dario Argento had to make some changes to the movie script, in order to have the music perfectly suited!! This legendary soundtrack combines elements of music and sound scary effects going far beyond traditional background scoring, becoming an integral part of the film. As critics say nowadays, SUSPIRIA music "is so perfectly integrated into the film, fares less well as a stand-alone item. All that pounding, howling, thumbing, and wheezing is enough to send chills down your spine even without the movie images (it is the perfect imaginary soundtrack), but not all of it could be called a pleasant listening experience (unless your idea of pleasant is having your nerves set on edge)." The original Suspiria vinyl record album featured two sleeves. When removed from the outer sleeve, the inner sleeve unfolded to reveal a pop-up of Dario Argento's initials, decorated with the demonic Goblin logo and the dead ballerina poster art from SUSPIRIA. The inner sleeve featured a black-and-white photo of Argento working with Goblin in the recording studio, plus several color photos from the film, including behind the scenes images of Argento on set. This reissue features the same pop-up system, although inverted: this time the outer sleeve will reveal its astounding secret as it was intended in the original project! So this one is even better than the original. Of course the LP is the usual AMS heavy 180g high quality audiophile vinyl! Probabilmente la colonna sonora più inquietante dei Goblin (da non ascoltare al buio), sembra addirittura che fosse stata composta prima dell'ultimazione del film, così che il regista Dario Argento dovette cambiare il copione per adattarvi al meglio la musica!! La colonna sonora di Suspiria combina elementi di musica a inquietanti e paurosi effetti sonori andando molto al di là del concetto tradizionale di musica da film, diventando parte integrante a tutti gli effetti delle immagini. Come dicono i critici ai giorni d'oggi, la musica di SUSPIRIA è integrata talmente bene nel film, da funzionare alla perfezione anche da sola. Tutto il suo pulsare, ululare, battere e sussurrare basta per fare scorrere i brividi lungo la schiena a chiunque anche senza le immagini del film (è la perfetta colonna sonora immaginaria), e non è certo una esperienza piacevole (a meno che il vostro concetto di piacere sia quello di farvi mettere i nervi a nudo)." Il vinile originale di Suspiria aveva due copertine. Una volta estratta dalla copertina esterna, quella interna era apribile e mostrava le iniziali di Dario Argento che si alzavano appena si apriva la copertina, il tutto abbinato al demoniaco logo dei Goblin e le grafiche della ballerina morta dei cartelloni del film. La copertina interna inoltre mostrava una foto in bianco e nero di Argento con i Goblin in studio di registrazione, e varie foto a colori del fil, inclusi dei dietro alle scene di Argento sul set. Questa ristampa riproduce fedelmente lo stesso sistema di logo "gimmick"� in sollevamento, benchè invertito: stavolta sarà  sufficiente aprire la copertina esterna per scoprirne la sorpresa, così come era stato progettato originariamente per il disco! Praticamente la ristampa è quasi meglio dell'originale. Naturalmente il disco è nella consueta versione in vinile nero ad alta grammatura 180g!

PROGRESSIVE   Incredible reissue of Profondo Rosso, one of the absolute cult movie soundtracks of all times, in its 35th anniversary! This reissue is a faithful reproduction of the very first pressing of 1975 (being realized in the same pressing plant of those years), with a fantastic oversized poster (66 cm x 66 cm) written by one of the biggest Goblin collectors. This poster contains the complete history of Profondo Rosso, some very rare newspaper articles of the seventies and for the first time ever the complete and detailed roster with all releases Profondo Rosso had in the last 35 years, including all images (over one hundred!!). A unique product for this truly legendary masterpiece! Incredibile ristampa di Profondo Rosso a 35 anni dalla prima uscita! Questa ristampa, oltre a riprodurre fedelmente la primissima versione del 1975 (è stata ristampata presso la stessa tipografia dell'epoca!) contiene un eccezionale poster con misure 66 cm x 66 cm curato da Roberto Attanasio, uno dei maggiori collezionisti mondiali dei Goblin. Il poster, oltre a contenere la cronistoria della colonna sonora di Profondo Rosso nonché dei rari articoli d’epoca contiene un elenco dettagliatissimo di tutte le uscite mondiali mai pubblicate di Profondo Rosso con tutte le immagini (oltre un centinaio!!) dei rispettivi prodotti. Un prodotto unico per quella che è la più mitica delle colonne sonore!

PROGRESSIVE   Florence band I Califfi included in their first line-up the future Area and Electric Frankenstein guitarist Tofani and Campo di Marte drummer Marcovecchio and were a very popular band in the 60's, before disbanding at the turn of the 70's. They released an album on RiFi and no less than eleven singles. The band was reformed in 1972 by bass player Franco Boldrini, the only member from the original line-up, for a new recording deal with Fonit Cetra, that only produced an LP. Fiore di metallo is a very good prog album, based on organ and moog sounds, with two outstanding instrumental tracks. One of our personal faves, and a megararity, finally reissued on LP. Highly recommended! 180 gr. LP

PROGRESSIVE   Sister of well known artist Alan Sorrenti, Jenny (or Jane, as she was called in her early releases) was born in Naples from welsh mother, and formed there the acid folk trio Saint Just. With this band she released two albums before embarking in a solo career that only produced two more albums in the 70's. Jenny's style as a solo artist is far from her previous bands, being much closer to the song format. Both albums being mainly built on Jenny's delicate voice, Suspiro is the best of the two, with help from experienced musicians like Peter Kaukonen (brother of Jorma, Jefferson Airplane's guitarist), drummer Francesco Froggio Francica (from Raccomandata con Ricevuta di Ritorno and Procession), guitarist Pino Daniele (later a well known solo artist), violinist Lucio Fabbri (PFM) and long cohort Toni Verde from the Saint Just days. Suspiro has recently reached high values due to the interest by many foreign collectors in the Jenny Sorrenti production. [source: www.italianprog.com] A great rarity never reissued on vinyl, now on 180g wax! Sorella del celebre Alan Sorrenti, Jenny (o Jane, come appariva nei primi dischi) � nata da madre gallese a Napoli e ha esordito musicalmente formando il trio acid folk Saint Just. Con questo gruppo pubblic� due album prima di lanciarsi in una carriera da solista che ha prodotto solamente altri due album negli anni '70. Lo stile di Jenny da sola � distante da quello del suo gruppo, essendo pi� vicino ad un genere canzonettistico. Entrambi gli album sono costruiti sulla sua delicata voce, Suspiro � il migliore dei due, registrato con la collaborazione di molti musicisti esperti come Peter Kaukonen (fratello di Jorma, chitarrista dei Jefferson Airplane), il batterista Francesco Froggio Francica (gi� con Raccomandata con Ricevuta di Ritorno e Procession), il chitarrista Pino Daniele (prima di diventare famoso), il violinista Lucio Fabbri (PFM) e il vecchio compagno Toni Verde dai Saint Just. Suspiro ha recentemente raggiunto alte valutazioni grazie all'interesse di molti collezionisti esteri per la produzione di Jenny Sorrenti, sia come artista solista che con i Saint Just. Un rarissimo disco, mai ristampato su vinile, ora in vinile audiofilo 180g!

PROGRESSIVE   After the release of the legendary YS, the band Balletto di Bronzo disbanded and their leader Gianni Leone had a short solo career under the name of Leo Nero. The result was a very good album, Vero, released by the legendary Harvest label in 1977 and recorded a year before in New York. The album is totally played and sung by Leo himself, and despite some commercial pop songs, it has some good moments reminding of his old band's sound, like in La discesa nel cervello, Il castello and the intense closing track Una gabbia per me. Obviously the sound is mainly keyboard based, but Leone played drums, minimoog bass lines and even guitar on some tracks. An album track, Sono stanco anch'io appeared on the B-side of a single from 1978, Fremo. A very rare and collectible album, Vero only had a limited vinyl reissue in Japan, and now, for the very first time, is released on a great sounding 180g high quality vinyl! Dopo lo scioglimento del Balletto di Bronzo, il cantante e tastierista Gianni Leone tent� una carriera da solista con il nuovo nome di Leo Nero, ed il risultato fu un bel disco, Vero, pubblicato dalla Harvest nel 1977 e registrato un anno prima a New York. L'album � interamente suonato e cantato dallo stesso Leo, e nonostante alcune canzoni di stampo pi� commerciale, contiene degli ottimi brani nello stile del suo gruppo precedente, come La discesa nel cervello, Il castello e l'intenso brano di chiusura Una gabbia per me. Ovviamente il suono � basato principalmente sulle tastiere, ma Leone suona anche batteria, parti di basso con il minimoog ed anche la chitarra in alcuni brani. Molto raro e ricercato, Vero � stato ristampato in vinile solo in Giappone e per la prima volta � disponibile su vinile da 180g in qualit� audiofila.

PROGRESSIVE   Maxophone, from Milan, formed in 1973 as a six-piece with an unusual assortment of instruments, due to their past experience as music students. A band of great talents and musicianship, their only LP, released in 1975, came too late to compete with the most important Italian bands of the genre and went sadly unnoticed. Maxophone, released on the Produttori Associati label (along with Duello Madre one of the few ventures in rock records by this label) is a marvellous album, full of dreamy atmospheres and complex horn arrangements, with good vocal parts in a Genesis style and is nowadays considered as one of the best Italian prog records of all times. [source: www.italianprog.com] Versione con testi in italiano. High quality, heavy 180g vinyl! I milanesi Maxophone si formano nel 1973 con una formazione a sei con un assortimento inconsueto di strumenti, data la loro esperienza di studi musicali. Un gruppo di grandi talenti e di eccellente qualità, il loro album, pubblicato nel 1975, è arrivato forse troppo tardi per competere con quelli dei più importanti gruppi italiani del genere, ed è passato senza destare purtroppo un grande interesse. In realtà, Maxophone, realizzato dalla Produttori Associati (insieme a Duello Madre è stato uno dei pochi esperimenti di questa etichetta in campo rock) è un album meraviglioso, pieno di atmosfere da sogno ed elaborati arrangiamenti di fiati, con ottime parti vocali in stile Genesis e oggi è considerato come uno dei migliori lavori del prog italiano degli anni settanta. [fonte: www.italianprog.com] Ristampa in vinile alta qualità 180g! Italian lyrics

LP > PROGRESSIVE   Special vinyl reissue of this classic album. Gatefold sleeve and 180 gr. digital remastered!

LP > PROGRESSIVE   Their first album, ...e fu il sesto giorno, contains seven songs; the main elements of the band's music are already there, with the almost operatic voice of Jimmi Spitaleri in great evidence and the nice classical influenced playing of keyboards player Enrico Olivieri on a strong rhythm section. The album still reflects some 60's influences but it set the basis for the following masterpiece Inferno.

LP > PROGRESSIVE   Concerto Grosso per i New Trolls recorded in 1971 is their greatest album, with music written by composer Luis Enriquez Bacalov with orchestral arrangements, an ambitious work that's still recognised as one of the most important italian rock releases ever made. This album started the collaboration of keyboardist Maurizio Salvi with the group. Finally on gatefold 180 gr. vinyl edition!

PROGRESSIVE   Finally on LP again the legendary New Trolls debut! Released in 1969 it was one of the very first complete LP by a pop band and in the meantime a real concept album, lyrics where written for them by singersongwriter Fabrizio De André and the poet Mannerini wrote the lyrics while Giampiero Reverberi (later producer of Le Orme’s “Collage”, “Uomo di pezza”, “Felona e Sorona” and “Contrappunti”) arranged the music. Senza oriario, senza bandiera is an excellent album, very successful at the time, strongly tied to the beat sound of the early days,As usual there are the remarkable harmony vocals of the whole band (a trademark that New Trolls had from the very beginning), plus the Jimi Hendrix guitar of Nico di Palo. and some interesting guitar parts but not particularly complex compositions… 180 gr. LP

PROGRESSIVE   The second album of New Trolls was released in 1970, and was a compilation of tracks from their previous singles. These were still the days in Italy where people preferred the singles to the less popular LP's, and these often were simple compilations of already known songs. Therefore this second album, simply called New Trolls is the hardest and most expensive to find from this band. All tracks where major beat and psych hits, and are pretty far away from the symphonic prog they played afterwards, all songs are still a pleasure to listen today; they are some real beat and psych inspired killers, highlighted by great vocal harmonies and an Hendrix-inspired guitar playing. Reprinted by BTF in 180 gr. vinyl!

PROGRESSIVE   Later in 1973 New Trolls produced another great album, "Ut", with a heavier sound, closer to hard rock. A nice album to many, this caused the band to break in two parts, with the two leaders Di Palo and De Scalzi going in two different ways. Faithfully restored in the original gatefold sleeve cover.

PROGRESSIVE   In 1972 a new bass player, the italo-canadian Frank Laugelli entered the band replacing Giorgio D'Adamo. With the new line-up the band released Searching for a land, another ambitious work. A double album, with a live side and mostly sung in English. The tracks are very alternating: Bowie-like vocals in "Searching", warm twanging acoustic guitar in "Giga", splendid Mellotron waves in "In St. Peter's day", beautiful classical inspired pianoplay in "Once that I preayed" and raw and heavy rock with hints from Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple in "To Edith" (powerful Hammond and fiery electric guitar) and and "Lying here" (Ian Gillan-like vocals). Only few albums sounds so varied and captivating, this one deserve more attention! Reprinted in the original double gatefold sleeve. 180 gr. vinyl

PROGRESSIVE   "Canti d'innocenza canti d'esperienza" is the 1973 album by ex New Trolls members that will later become Ibis. A must-have for New Trolls addicts showing the harder, smoking side of the New Trolls diaspora. Available in the usual BTF gatefold artwork with the original insert photo artwork and all lyrics.

LP > PROGRESSIVE   Third album, and Osanna best one, Palepoli, from 1973 sees the band at their peak. The album only contains three long tracks and is housed in a nice gatefold whose inner picture is based on the band live stage background. The starting track, Oro caldo, mixes the band typical style with folk chants from their native city Naples, while Stanza città and the side long Animale senza respiro all give space to the good playing of the band members. In many writers' reviews one of the best italian prog albums. This italian prog classic is now available from the VM indie label in a new ltd. ed. deluxe LP reissue on 180 gr. vinyl!!!

PROGRESSIVE   New reissue for Osanna's 1972 soundtrack, composed together with Luis Enriquez Bacalov. Great gatefold sleeve cover!

PROGRESSIVE   Finally the vinyl reprint of this classic, the debut of one of the greatest bands in the Italian prog field, Osanna from Naples. Formed in 1971 by the members of I Volti di Pietra and Città Frontale their debut was L'uomo, released in a memorable triple gatefold cover, already containing their distinctive elements, the nice voice of Lino Vairetti (with interesting lyrics indeed), the aggressive flute of Elio D'Anna, fluid guitar playing by Danilo Rustici and the solid rhythm section of Lello Brandi and Massimo Guarino. LP in the original triple-gatefold! L'uomo, il primo album, pubblicato con la celebre copertina apribile in tre parti, contiene già tutti gli elementi caratteristici, la bella voce di Lino Vairetti (con testi anche interessanti), il flauto aggressivo di Elio D'Anna, il fluido stile chitarristico di Danilo Rustici e la solida sezione ritmica di Lello Brandi e Massimo Guarino. Finalmente ristampato in vinile con la copertina apribile in tre parti.

PROGRESSIVE   Housed in a great cover designed by drummer Massimo Guarino, with an inner gatefold painting by singer Lino Vairetti (some of the band members came from the Naples Academy of Arts and also had an artistic career), the album contains nice tracks. The band was trying to play abroad and the album was also intended for the foreign markets, so five of the seven tracks are in English, but due to the split it had to be finished with the help of Corrado Rustici (Danilo's younger brother from Cervello) and drummer Enzo Vallicelli (then with Uno). Faithfully restored in the original gatefold sleeve cover.

PROGRESSIVE   First time ever reissue on LP for this Italian prog classic! A band from Rome formed in 1971 and featuring two ex-members of Under 2000, a group that had released some singles in 1970. Their only album, released in 1972 by CGD, is a typical Italian symphonic prog album with strong classical influences and keyboards as leading instrument, some orchestral arrangements in around the same style as the later Contaminazione by Rovescio della Medaglia, and short vocal parts. The LP contains two long suites divided into small movements with very long and complex titles. The album is very good and sadly overlooked by many, it's surely worth a listen. After the entrance for a short while of a second keyboardist, Franco Di Sabbatino (later with Rovescio della Medaglia), the band split around 1974, when a second album had been recorded in demo form but never released. [source: www.italianprog.com] High quality, heavy 180g vinyl! Prima ristampa in vinile di questo classico del prog italiano! Gruppo di Roma, formato nel 1971 e comprendente due ex-Under 2000, un gruppo che aveva realizzato alcuni singoli nel 1970. Il loro unico album, uscito nel 1972 per la CGD � un tipico album di prog sinfonico italiano con forti influenze classiche e tastiere in netta evidenza, alcuni arrangiamenti orchestrali nello stile successivamente ripreso dal Rovescio della Medaglia per Contaminazione, e parti vocali brevi. L'LP contiene due lunghe suite divise in piccoli movimenti dai titoli lunghi e complessi. L'album � molto bello, e purtroppo non particolarmente conosciuto da molti, vale sicuramente la pena di ascoltarlo.. [source: www.italianprog.com] Ristampa in vinile alta qualit� 180g!

LP > PROGRESSIVE   Now available from BTF: a classic italian prog album in a new deluxe reissue LP edition. Procession's "Frontiera" has been faithfully reissued on 180 gr. white vinyl edition and it's packaged in a superbe gatefold cover sleeve.

LP > PROGRESSIVE   This band from Turin made their first album Frontiera in 1972 ), a good album that can be easily described as an hard prog LP. With a line-up of two guitars, bass and drums, and the original high-pitched voice of singer Gianfranco Gaza, the band plays a very good hard rock with some progressive influences and acoustic passages. The album has its moments and it's particularly rare. The band reappeared in 1974 with a new line-up and a new recording deal, Fonit that releases their second album Fiaba. A mature work, much more original than their first and more in a symphonic vein with large use of sax and flute with guest appearances by drummer Francesco Froggio Francica (from Raccomandata con Ricevuta di Ritorno), Delirium's keyboard player Ettore Vigo and Circus 2000 female singer Silvana Aliotta, while drummer Roberto Balocco (ex-Capsicum Red) helped the group in concert. This italian prog classic is now available from the VM indie label in a new ltd. ed. deluxe LP reissue on 180 gr. vinyl!!!

PROGRESSIVE   A classic italian progressive masterwork from 1972! Quella Vecchia Locanda is now available in vinyl gatefold edition faithful to the original released!

LP > PROGRESSIVE   Their only album, Per... un mondo di cristallo, housed in a curious gatefold cover containing a nice drawing from the Up&Down Studio (as in Procession's Fiaba), mixes a typical italian prog sound with acoustic guitar, flute and keyboards in evidence, with jazz influences with great tracks such as "Un palco di marionette" mixed with jazzy tunes like "Il mondo cade su di me". The 1972 debut album for this early italian progressive band has been now reissued in 180 gr. vinyl.

PROGRESSIVE   A five-piece from Brianza, I Ricordi d'Infanzia only released an album and a couple of singles in 1973. They had previously played under the name of Gli Aspidi and were also present on the Fonit compilation Nuovi complessi d'avanguardia da Radio Montecarlo. With the new name I Ricordi d'Infanzia, since 1972, they played as support band with I Pooh and Le Orme. Io uomo contains a very good progressive sound, based on mediocre lyrics on the creation of mankind (a recurring theme in many Italian prog bands' concept albums). The eight tracks album has its best moments in Morire e non morire and the opening Caos, one of the few tracks with keyboards to the fore. After the demise of the album, totally unnoticed due to the lack of promotion from the record company, the group had a line-up change, with newcomers Gianni Bari (sax) and Ugo Biondi (keyboards) replacing Cassina and Vergani, and they played until 1976. An ultrarare album, one of the rarest on Fonit-Cetra, Io uomo originally had a textured gatefold cover that included the lyrics but no details on the band. The album was issued in the LPP series that included mostly popular music records and oddly didn't include the group name on the cover, just a mention in the liner notes in the inner gatefold. Source. www.italianprog.com

PROGRESSIVE   Based on the beautiful voice of Alan Sorrenti's sister Jane, Saint Just began as a trio with mainly acoustic instruments and mixing together folk, psychedelia and classical influences. The very good results are demonstrated in their first album, released in 1973 on Harvest. The soft prog atmospheres are dreamy and enchanting, like in the opening Quando nel mondo distrutto incominciò la vita, and Alan Sorrenti also sang on a track. A must-have Italian classic! [source: www.italianprog.com] High quality, heavy 180g vinyl! Special raw textured cardboard sleeve! Basati sulla bella voce della sorella di Alan Sorrenti, Jane, i Saint Just hanno cominciato come trio con strumenti prevalentemente acustici, fondendo insieme folk, psichedelia ed influenze classiche. Gli ottimi risultati sono dimostrati nel loro primo album, uscito nel 1973 per la Harvest. Le atmosfere soft prog sono eteree e ipnotiche, come nel primo brano Quando nel mondo distrutto incominciò la vita, e c'è anche la partecipazione di Alan Sorrenti alla voce in un brano, ma il gruppo non riuscì a ricreare dal vivo il delicato suono del disco. Un classico del prog italiano! [fonte: www.italianprog.com] Vinile audiofilo 180g! Speciale copertina ruvida!

LP > PROGRESSIVE   A sort of supergroup, as most of their members came from well-known bands, Samadhi were formed after the split of Raccomandata Ricevuta di Ritorno by singer Regoli and guitarist Civitenga, along with keyboard player Sabatini (from Free Love and Kaleidon), Aldo Bellanova from Teoremi on bass and drummer Ruggero Stefani (L'Uovo di Colombo), and two other members.The album mixes very good prog influences with some jazz and even pop, the best of the seven tracks being the closing L'ultima spiaggia with religious text. The beautiful lyrics were written by poet Enrico Lazzareschi. Finally in gatefold sleeve faithful to the original cover.

PROGRESSIVE   Formed from the ashes of Osanna when the band split in 1974 by Elio D'Anna and Danilo Rustici along with drummer Enzo Vallicelli (from Hellza Poppin, who had played with Osage Tribe and Claudio Rocchi), Uno was a much-hyped band that went to England to record their first and only album with help from lyricist N.J.Sedwick and singer Liza Strike (of The dark side of the moon fame). The album is not far from late Osanna style (Landscape of life-era), with four English-sung tracks and three in Italian, with songs like I cani e la volpe in evidence, but didn't reach the success the band hoped. Faithfully restored in the original gatefold sleeve cover.

PROGRESSIVE   Based in Rome, L'Uovo di Colombo was a sort of primordial supergroup featuring Enzo Volpini and Ruggero Stefani that had previously played together in I Fholks with future members of Reale Accademia di Musica, while Elio Volpini had been a member of Flea (on the Honey). L'Uovo di Colombo is a great album, with the very good voice of Toni Gionta (his real surname was Tartarini and he was later the singer with Cherry Five) backed by a keyboard/bass/drums trio in perfect Le Orme style with occasional use of acoustic and electric guitar. The solid rhythm section and competent keyboard playing give the album a very high quality and the eight tracks are all perfectly enjoyable. After the band's demise, drummer Ruggero Stefani joined Samadhi, then Mediterraneo and Gli Alunni del Sole. Elio Volpini went back to his old cohorts of Flea to form the jazz-rock outfit Etna. As said before, singer Gionta changed his name to Tony Tartarini and was briefly involved in Cherry Five. Never reissued on vinyl before, great sounding 180g high quality vinyl! I romani L'Uovo di Colombo sono stati una sorta di supergruppo ante litteram: Enzo Volpini e Ruggero Stefani avevano suonato insieme nei Fholks con i futuri componenti della Reale Accademia di Musica, mentre Elio Volpini era stato nei Flea (on the Honey). L'Uovo di Colombo � un gran bel disco, con l'ottima voce di Toni Gionta (il suo vero nome era Tartarini ed � stato poi il cantante dei Cherry Five) sostenuto da un trio di tastiere/basso/batteria in perfetto stile Le Orme con l'uso occasionale di chitarra elettrica e acustica. La sezione ritmica compatta, e la bravura del tastierista danno all'album un eccellente livello qualitativo e gli otto brani compresi nel disco sono tutti ugualmente apprezzabili. Dopo la fine del gruppo, il batterista Ruggero Stefani (precedentemente nei Fholks con i futuri componenti della Reale Accademia di Musica) entr� nei Samadhi e pi� tardi ha suonato con i Mediterraneo e Gli Alunni del Sole. Elio Volpini torn� con i vecchi compagni dei Flea per formare il gruppo jazz-rock Etna. Come gi� detto, il cantante Gionta cambi� il nome in Tony Tartarini e fece parte per breve tempo dei Cherry Five. Una delle massime rarit� del prog italiano uscito ai tempi per l'etichetta EMI/Columbia, questa ristampa � su vinile da 180g in qualit� audiofila!