Guitarist Paolo Angeli's first foray into big band sounds, and Nita has actually been a work in progress since 1997 that finally has been completed. Much like the Uncle Meat or Waka Jawaka period for Frank Zappa, Nita sees the Italian guitarist surrounded by a huge host of fellow musicians from Bologna, about 30 to be exact, that help him create these huge symphonic sounds. Part progressive rock, part chamber music, and part jazz, Nita is always engaging and adventurous, never too avant-garde or repetitive. Violin, cello, piano, organ, synths, flute, sax, trumpet, French horn, oboe, trombone, percussion, double bass, and clarinet, make up the orchestration alongside Angeli's array of guitars, banjo, basses, and sound effects. There's also an assortment of vocalists and narrators, but for the most part these 23 tracks are instrumental. For my money, the pieces that work best are the jazzier, fusion type numbers, like "Pari o Dispari", with it's quirky horn melodies, bouncy organ, and walking bass lines. Angeli rips on his classical guitar on the traditional Italian flavored "Cussi No' La Cridia", complemented by oboe, French horn, and his own Italian vocals. His deft six-fingered talents also delight on the acoustic "Sorbetto", as well as the lovely "Nita (Timida)".
Nita is a fun and engaging listen, sure to please prog and jazz fans alike who will also be thoroughly entertained by the traditional Italian sounds that are on display here.
Track Listing
1) Nita
2) Lenti Appannate
3) Specchi d' Arancia
4) Cicli e Ricicli
5) Bando
6) Pari o Dispari
7) Sonni
8) Diamo I Numeri
9) Cussi No' la Cridia
10) Quello Sguardo
11) Miserere
12) Tibi
13) Idee Confuse
14) La Mulina (Parlando)
15) La Mulina da Pepa
16) L'Angoscia dell'Amore
17) Sorbetto
18) Nita (Timida)
19) Ritagli di Tempo
20) Pascoli
21) L'Ululone
22) Salve Regina!
Biga
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