When it comes to Italian Progressive Rock of the 1970s, the band Raccomandata con Ricevuta di Ritorno certainly stands out. Despite having released only one album, they left an indelible mark on the scene. Since 2010, Luciano Regoli has revived the project with a series of releases under the band’s name. The new album, titled “In Fuga,” is scheduled for release on May 9, 2025, via AMS Records and features six long tracks that showcase some of the most epic sounds in Progressive Rock. The album opens with the granite-like track “Incubo,” characterized by a sound that blends Hard Rock and Progressive elements, complemented by incisive vocals and refined lyrics. The solid and elaborate rhythm section adds a Heavy touch to the overall sound, with excellent guitar and keyboard breakdowns that include refined solo inserts during instrumental sections. The band immediately immerses us in the album’s atmosphere, bringing the glorious spirit of Italian Prog into a fresh, modern context. Following this is “Mary Reilly,” which offers a darker progressive soundscape paired with warm, expressive vocals that interpret the lyrics with passion. Compared to the opening track, this piece has a more pronounced retro feel, pleasantly transporting us back to the sound that made the Italian scene great. In its instrumental section, a violin embellishes the arrangement with a prolonged solo passage before giving way to guitar and keyboard solos. The vocals return for the final verses before the track concludes. The B-side opens with “Nubiano,” an energetic and infectious track driven by dynamic drumming. This piece blends Prog with Oriental atmospheres, with percussion adding depth to the rhythm section. The vocalist delivers an intense performance that leads into a refined instrumental section featuring prominent violin and synthesizer work. The longest track on the album, “Ancora l’ombra,” which exceeds nine minutes, takes us back to the atmosphere of the 1970s with an organ intro. Warm and expressive vocals, deep bass lines, and evolving musical passages intertwine singing parts and flute inserts in a crescendo that develops the theme of the piece. Its extended duration allows for exploration of different facets of the band’s sound, including an experimental middle section with narrated vocals. This track most strongly evokes the sounds of the past, with horns embellishing the arrangement. The album concludes with “Sandrina,” the shortest track at just 1:32 minutes, serving as a gentle outro that leaves us wanting to listen again. It is always a pleasure to review albums by artists who have left their mark on the history of the genre-especially when the work is of high quality. This is a very enjoyable album that showcases the band’s compositional and performative skills through six intense tracks, bringing back the atmosphere of 70s Prog in a fresh and modern context. Highly recommended for fans of Italian Progressive Rock, especially those who appreciate long tracks that highlight the band’s style.
Tracklist
Side A:
Incubo (04:55)
Mary Reilly (07:17)
Sognando (06:57)
Side B:
Nubiano (05:40)
Ancora l’ombra (09:12)
Sandrina (01:32)
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