Crystals - Crystals (Italian Progressive Hardrock 1974)

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The ultra rare 1973 release from this Italian prog supergroup formed by members of PFM and Banco which hasn't been available for over three decades. Due to wrangles at the time it was never issued and is an undeniable piece of genuine Italian rock history. Sung in English by Carlo Degani with superb guitar by Marcello Todaro.

Crystals is a sort of supergroup composed in the 1973 year by experienced and famous musicians, former members of name bands like PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (Giorgio Piazza), BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO (Marcello Todaro), RACCOMANDATA RICEVUTA DI RITORNO and SAMADHI (Nanni Civitenga), ALPHATAURUS (Giorgio Santandrea), and under the guidance of Paolo Tofani (AREA and ELECTRIC FRANKENSTEIN) that composed all of their tracks.

They recorded an album that was intended for release on Cramps label, but for mysterious reasons, it never appeared, and has only seen the light on CD in the early 90's.

The record shows an excellent musicianship. The lyrics are sung in english and the album has long instrumental parts. A Led Zeppelin influence is evident even if two guitarists make the sound original.

Attention: this is a clear ISP/ RPI related supergroup. For me the only place for this band is between the ISP/ RPI bands/ artists. This not only for the musician involved (Degani, Todaro, Piazza, Santandrea and Civitenga with the songs written by Tofani) but also because this is a real Prog version of the Led Zeppelin. In this sense the arrangements help more my conviction. In fact the arrangements is more present in the Crystals music that in the music of Led Zeppelin. Where the Zep is more Blues/ Folk the Crystals is more Folk/ Blues. 

And this is a very big difference. It is true that Carlo Degani is a photocopy of Robert Plant, but when it have to be more personal this characteristic it isn't present. But the Cramps records where is it in 1974 for Crystals? Attractive question, because only in 1992 Mauro Moroni and Ciro Perrino recovered this masterpiece. All the songs deserves a long and attentive listen but i think that "Wrong Out", "Time Out", "Feelings", If She's Mine", "Sad Story", "Policeman (very Zep Folk Style with personal electric insertions) and "Woman Under Water" are the best songs. Practically I exclude only "Persian Carpet" because he is anonymous (but in this quite of God!!!). Attention, I repeat, this isn't ISP/ RPI band but a very interesting related ISP/ RPI supergroup. But very Prog and convincing.

I (and not only I) don't know because the Cramps Records not published this album in 1974. But likely that exist the Mellow Records that in 1992 published this little masterpiece. Because the story so have the just weight and recognition. 

01. Wrought Iron

02. Time Out

03. Feeling

04. If She's Still Mine

05. Sad Story

06. Persian Carpet

07. Policeman

08. Women Under Water 

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