ARTI E MESTIERI - TILT - 1974

Compared to their Italian progressive rock contemporaries PFM and American based groups like MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA, ARTI & MESTIERI were an excellent but overlooked band. These Italian purveyors of prog-rock deserve further consideration as Tilt proves to be an archetypal interpretation of a sound that was still in the developmental stages at the time.

In very small-italicized print underneath the album's bold title are the words "Immagini Per Un Orecchio", translated it means "Images For An Ear." I find that very insightful as I am always saying how good instrumental music has the ability to create images inside my head, thus eliminating the need for vocals.

This was the group's first release in 1974. For a maiden voyage into the world of recorded music, they faired quite well. Although they use vocals sparingly, they really did not need them at all. Their music was very visually stimulating. By using all of their talents to their fullest capacity, a pleasing mixture of keyboards, guitars, bass, percussion, violins, saxophone, clarinet, and vibraphone became part of their final creation. Because they used so many different instruments, their music gradually pushed itself to another level of complexity, in so doing it transformed their compositions into progressive quests that were a captivating treat for your ears and mind.

As per usual, the 180-Gram vinyl LP format never lacks for sound and quality.



This is the best album that i've heard in a while.They remind me of MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA at times,but during the mellow sections i think of PFM.Lots of mellotron too,and a drummer who reminds me of Peart and Cobham the way he is so fluid and powerful.Lots of sax and violin as well.This was apparently co-produced by AREA's guitarist Paolo Tofani. "Gravita 9,81" opens with a blast of horns before it settles with mellotron,clarinet and violin.Amazing sound when the keys and drums come in.Gorgeous.I like the violin that follows.The bass and drums sound fantastic after 2 minutes as mellotron then sax comes in.The violin returns late.What a song! My favourite off the album. "Strips" opens with keys as a brief guitar melody comes in.Check out the drumming and mellotron that follows.Violin,sax then vocals 1 1/2 minutes in.This reminds me of PFM, the gentle vocals and acoustic guitar.Beautiful.Mellotron before 3 minutes and violin follows. "Corrosione" opens with mellotron as keys,drums and sax follow.A short but good instrumental. "Positivo/Negativo" opens with strummed guitar as violin comes in.Drums,bass,piano and vibes join in.It kicks into gear before 2 minutes with drums and violin leading the way.Guitar then comes in ripping it up.Nice. "In Cammino" opens with mellow sax lines.Electric piano,drums and violin 2 minutes in as the tempo picks up.The violin starts to rip it up.Mellotron before 3 minutes.Love the drumming and piano after 4 minutes.Guitar 4 1/2 minutes in is killer as the bass throbs. "Farenheit" is the only track without mellotron but then it's only 1:15 long.Piano opens before clarinet, drums and a fuller sound follows. "Articolazioni" is almost 13 1/2 minutes long and it's a ride.It's led early by piano before violin and drums become prominant.Fantastic drumming here! Nice bass too.Sax starts to lead.It settles before 3 minutes as sax and mellotron take over.Vocals follow.The drumming is so impressive before 5 minutes then it settles with mellotron.The tempo picks up as vocals return.Violin follows then a powerful section after 6 1/2 minutes comes in.It settles briefly with mellotron then kicks back in.Guitar,vocals and mellotron 8 1/2 minutes.Tempo picks up again.A great flood of mellotron 10 minutes in then it turns jazzy.Love the vocals 11 minutes in as it turns mellow.Mellotron is back. "Tilt" is the 2 1/2 minute closer.It's experimental with some dissonance but check out the mellotron! Nothing less than 5 stars will do for this fantastic recording.
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