Formula 3
La grande casa

Purchased on the recommendation of my usual music supplier, it is generally considered the weak link in Formula 3's discography.

In every respect, it's more of a solo album by Alberto Radius than a team effort, so many are the differences with the albums that preceded it.

First of all, it is the first one not to feature compositions by Lucio Battisti, who is also not present in the production; the music is signed by the group's own members. As for the lyrics and production, we find Mogol, the latter assisted on two tracks by Marva Jane Marrow, an American musician who collaborated with many of our artists, especially in the '70s.

At the time, it was a great surprise for me, as, apart from the second track, Tony Cicco's voice is practically absent, a voice that was certainly a standout element in the group's sound. Alberto Radius sings on all the tracks, an unmistakable sign of a change in balance within the group, making the disbandment inevitable after the album's release.

The beautiful "Rapsodia di Radius" combines delicate moments with harder passages, supported by Alberto's splendid work on both acoustic and electric guitar. The fun "La ciliegia non è di plastica" is supported by Cicco's voice contrasted with Radius's baritone. After the acoustic and symphonic "Libertà per quest’uomo," comes the Title Track, a piece that Radius often revisits in his solo concerts. It is characterized by an alternation of acoustic and electric sounds, perhaps representing the most progressive episode of the album.

The album closes with two ballads: "Cara Giovanna" and the catchy "Bambina sbagliata." The latter is concluded by a captivating and immensely enjoyable synthesizer and bass solo, which honestly seems slightly disconnected from the song's overall flow but likely represents its best part.

After this album, Radius will "take flight" with Gabriele Lorenzi, while Tony Cicco will pursue a solo career with the delicate "Se mi vuoi." 3.5/5