AMS Records has reissued one of the most mysterious masterpieces of Italian music, as well as a unique example of Psychedelia, Le Stelle di Mario Schifano. Originally released in 1967 under the title “Dedicato A…,” it contains a long acid suite on the first side and five short tracks on the second. The project arose from a collaboration with the eclectic artist Mario Schifano, hence the band’s name. The original version was released in 50 copies in red and 500 in the classic black LP, now reissued in this limited edition reissue true to the original. The long suite on side A entitled “Brandimante’s last words, from Orlando Furioso, guest Peter Hartman and end (to be listened to with TV on, no volume)” is a Jam session of over 17 minutes. The band shows its more psychedelic and avant-garde side for the time, with elaborate and at times intricate sounds. Percussion, constantly changing and evolving rhythms, lysergic keyboard inserts and sounds enriched by effects and a high level of technique. A succession of solos, interweaving sounds and a lot of experimentation, one of the very rare, perhaps the only case in Italy in which this type of musical concept is proposed. The B-side opens with “Molto Alto” a rhythmic track with fine electric guitar inserts adding a Psych touch. The vocals are intense and expressive, the sound weaves are lysergic and mind-bending, with the guitar adding an extra quid to the sound with its solo inserts. “Susan Song” traces the more melodic sounds of the era, with an orchestral background and guitar arpeggios. The rhythm section is minimal, with deep bass lines, while the more Pop than Rock vocals interpret the lyrics with passion. The album’s shortest track “E Dopo” combines melodic stretches with Psychedelic and more Experimental rhythms and sounds. The singing is softer and closer to the Italian song of the time, while the guitar solo in the last part adds an Acid touch to the sound. “Interval” is an energetic and addictive track with a killer bassline rhythm section. The spoken vocals in the background are very interesting and give a glimpse of the Italian language, while the guitar work adds a psychedelic touch to the sound with an edgy, distorted insert. The album ends with “Far Away (In Colour)” featuring an intro with intertwining horns and arpeggios. The vocal is warm and expressive and the track is very close to the Psychedelic sounds made in the UK, with rich guitar and keyboard textures and a solid rhythm section. An album and a project to be discovered, both for the story behind the band’s line-up and name and for the unique sounds in Italy. Very rare and considered the most expensive record of Italian Rock (in the original red version), it is an avant-garde album for its time. The band was also very interesting live, putting on innovative shows with video projections, lighting and visual art, we can get a glimpse of their potential in the suite on the first side. A recommended listen for lovers of the most acidic and purest psychedelic sounds, a unique or almost unique example in Italy. Thanks to AMS Records this masterpiece can receive new visibility, a band that had the merit of bringing the Summer Of Love sounds to Italy.
Tracklist
Side A
1. Le ultime parole di Brandimante,
dall’Orlando Furioso,
ospite Peter Hartman e fine
(da ascoltarsi con TV accesa, senza volume) (17:46)
Side B
1. Molto Alto (3:12)
2. Susan Song (3:47)
3. E dopo (2:12)
4. Intervallo (2:37)
5. Molto lontano (A colori) (2:50)
Lineup
Sergio Cerra / Drums
Giandomenico Crescentini / Basso, Voce
Nello Marini / Keyboards and Vocals
Urbano Orlandi / Guitars and Vocals
