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Sacka - Lontano Nel Tempo (Se Possibile)

Sacka - Lontano Nel Tempo (Se Possibile)
Released: 1999
Label: Kaliphonia
Cat. No.: KRC023
Total Time: 49:38

Reviewed by: Tom Karr, February 2005
With this fine 1999 release, Sacka takes Italian progressive into the future while keeping a loving eye on the past. Sometimes lush and romantically melodious, sometimes sharp elbowed and challenging, this music takes its inspiration from the classic Italian sounds of Banco and PFM and balances it with Sacka's own melodic voice.

Beginning with a brief instrumental, the appropriately titled "Intro," each song is followed by a brief verse of spoken prose with atmospheric accompaniment from synthesizer. Would that I spoke Italian, and could explain what connection this verse has to the music but, alas, I cannot. "Intro" will instantly remind the seasoned Italian prog listener of early Banco, with its complex single note lines and aggressive drive, with strong similarities to both "Metamorphosi" and "Cento Mani E Cento Occhi", while the next tune, "Navigo", has the kind of flowing melodicism that was a hallmark of early Italian prog, particularly bands like PFM or, a bit later, Locanda Delle Fate.

Other highlights include "Amici (Il Dubbio)," which incorporates several strong and well developed themes ornamented by skittering guitar and flute work. "Il Bandito" is probably the most well crafted and finely executed work on this release. It is a fast moving display of not only songwriting and arranging at its best, but of high caliber musicianship as well. There are a bevy of intertwining counterpoint lines, and the whole effort is a pleasure for the ears. The album ends with a short, pastoral, and mostly acoustic work, "Lunae Lux," to bookend its raging and electric "Intro."

If you already have a taste for Italian prog, then you will have a soft spot in your heart for the music of Sacka. I would recommend this release to anyone wanting to sample the current (ok, recent) state of Mediterranean progressive rock. Lontano Nel Tempo (Se Possibile) is a beautifully conceived and produced work, and one that brings the classic sound of Italian progressive rock into the present day.

Rating: 4/5

More about Lontano Nel Tempo (Se Possibile):

Track Listing: Intro (1:35) / prima di dormire / Navigo (6:00) / gli uomini sono alberi / Il Bosco (5:13) / strane geometrie / Amici (Il Dubbio) (5:08) / il camping / Il Folle (5:56) / gioco di scacchi / Il Falcone (6:15) / un sasso / Il Bandito (6:15) / la scossa della vita / Il Risveglio (8:40) / le apine / Lunae Lux (2:05)

Musicians:
Steo - Guitar
Alby - Vocals
Coje - Bass
Koppy - Drums
Ale - Piano, Synthesizer, Flute

Discography

Lontana Nel Tempo (Se Possibile) (1999)

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© Copyright 2005 ProgressiveWorld.net/Tom Karr

	Sacka - Lontano Nel Tempo (Se Possibile)
	Released: 1999 Label: Kaliphonia Cat. No.: KRC023 Total Time: 49:38
	Reviewed by: Tom Karr, February 2005 With this fine 1999 release, Sacka takes Italian progressive into the future while keeping a loving eye on the past. Sometimes lush and romantically melodious, sometimes sharp elbowed and challenging, this music takes its inspiration from the classic Italian sounds of Banco and PFM and balances it with Sacka's own melodic voice. Beginning with a brief instrumental, the appropriately titled "Intro," each song is followed by a brief verse of spoken prose with atmospheric accompaniment from synthesizer. Would that I spoke Italian, and could explain what connection this verse has to the music but, alas, I cannot. "Intro" will instantly remind the seasoned Italian prog listener of early Banco, with its complex single note lines and aggressive drive, with strong similarities to both "Metamorphosi" and "Cento Mani E Cento Occhi", while the next tune, "Navigo", has the kind of flowing melodicism that was a hallmark of early Italian prog, particularly bands like PFM or, a bit later, Locanda Delle Fate. Other highlights include "Amici (Il Dubbio)," which incorporates several strong and well developed themes ornamented by skittering guitar and flute work. "Il Bandito" is probably the most well crafted and finely executed work on this release. It is a fast moving display of not only songwriting and arranging at its best, but of high caliber musicianship as well. There are a bevy of intertwining counterpoint lines, and the whole effort is a pleasure for the ears. The album ends with a short, pastoral, and mostly acoustic work, "Lunae Lux," to bookend its raging and electric "Intro." If you already have a taste for Italian prog, then you will have a soft spot in your heart for the music of Sacka. I would recommend this release to anyone wanting to sample the current (ok, recent) state of Mediterranean progressive rock. Lontano Nel Tempo (Se Possibile) is a beautifully conceived and produced work, and one that brings the classic sound of Italian progressive rock into the present day. Rating: 4/5 More about Lontano Nel Tempo (Se Possibile): Track Listing: Intro (1:35) / prima di dormire / Navigo (6:00) / gli uomini sono alberi / Il Bosco (5:13) / strane geometrie / Amici (Il Dubbio) (5:08) / il camping / Il Folle (5:56) / gioco di scacchi / Il Falcone (6:15) / un sasso / Il Bandito (6:15) / la scossa della vita / Il Risveglio (8:40) / le apine / Lunae Lux (2:05) Musicians: Steo - Guitar Alby - Vocals Coje - Bass Koppy - Drums Ale - Piano, Synthesizer, Flute Discography Lontana Nel Tempo (Se Possibile) (1999)
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