Alan Sorrenti
Aria

LA RECENSIONE

I wanted to suggest listening or re-listening to this immense album (and only child) by a Sorrenti who was still untouched by disco, drugs, and money. Perhaps the only prog record with strong psychedelic influences made in Italy, and maybe in Europe. The work opens with the title track, lasting about 21 minutes, but at the end, you want to play it again—a true whirlwind of atmospheres and sounds unmatched by our artist in the future, full of tension and melody, reaching its peak in the last 5 minutes...and what's more, there's Jean-Luc Ponty's violin to color it all. The second side opens with the intimate "vorrei incontrarti," as delicate and deep as needed. Perhaps the lyrics might raise SOME DOUBT today, as they are a product of their time, but these are details that do not change the overall value of the song, which is and remains a true hymn to love. Then follow the remaining tracks "un fiume tranquillo" and "la mia mente," with the latter serving as the "weaker" piece, although still enjoyable and well-crafted. Later, Sorrenti would create another LP along the lines of "aria" but without reaching this level, although it is still good, and a third where the only stroke of genius was the personal and excellent rendition of the classic "dicitencello vuje" from the traditional Neapolitan repertoire. I apologize for not being able to include the cover photo or an audio track...I'm just starting out and with "wet cartridges"!