Alan Sorrenti
Oltre la zona sicura

50 years after his prog debut with Aria and 19 years since his last studio album Sott'acqua, Alan Sorrenti makes a surprise return with an album that is not a revival of himself but is projected into the future.

Oltre la zona sicura, containing nine unreleased tracks, is a title that is a program in itself, meaning to go beyond the safety of his past, especially the commercial success that with songs like "Figli delle stelle," "Tu sei l'unica donna per me," and "Non so che darei" granted him everlasting fame.

The first three tracks are light and danceable, and are generally at a good level. "Giovani per sempre" preceded the album's release, while "Oggi" and "Pura vida" maintain cheerfulness and Alan's voice, at 71, still moves well with its now characteristic tone.

With the next three tracks, we enter a more serious atmosphere, and the title track, nomen omen, almost touches on experimentation, stepping out of the "safe zone." "Naufraghi in fiamme" and especially "Luce magica" are definitely enjoyable. It's an Alan Sorrenti who is both renewed and recognizable.

Then come three tracks of very good quality, as well as diverse: "Greta," dedicated to Greta Thunberg; "Inversione di tendenza," playful and amusing; and the concluding "Gli altri siamo noi," which is not an Umberto Tozzi cover but a beautiful, deep, and well-performed song, only homonymous with the success of the "Gloria" singer.

Oltre la zona sicura certainly deserves three stars, bringing its author back to the music market after almost two decades, demonstrating his continued desire to amaze with a voice still in good shape and sounds and themes keeping up with the times.

33 minutes of honest and clean music, also released in a 33 rpm format. On the cover, a question mark can be glimpsed from Alan's glasses, aptly explaining the spirit of the project.