Ivan Cattaneo
Luna Presente

Talking about "Luna Presente" isn't easy: it's about an impromptu return to the music market of an artist now relegated to the role of occasional TV commentator and revivalist entertainer; a talented artist who, I feel I can say with relative certainty, had a much smaller and limited impact compared to his actual potential. He wanted to be a songwriter, his way, but in Italy this designation encompasses certain "connotations", and without a certain "institutional aura", it was difficult to be taken seriously in this role; hence the cover albums, the television appearances, other artistic interests; after a few years of relative notoriety, Ivan Cattaneo practically disappeared from the Italian "pop" music scene, leaving behind a somewhat misunderstood image for the less informed. I don't know if Ivan, an atypical son of the Lombard province like myself, was truly great, he was certainly a pleasant and witty anomaly; potentially even more if he had the fortune to express himself in a slightly less rigid, provincial context, tethered to various clichés and stereotypes.

Anyway, "Luna Presente" from 2005 isn't a "great record" in the canonical sense of the term, no. A lot of craftsmanship and a pinch of self-celebration, it remains within the realm of revival even though in a slightly leaner and classier form, but also an impeccable sense of lightness and melodic ease, a very captivating and recognizable style. Lightened synth-pop with new-age moods and emotional themes treated with a positive attitude; "Luna Presente" is an album that perfectly reflects its title: little gravity, dreamy mood, a pleasure that slips away episode after episode, leaving a satisfying sense of contentment. Every song has the subtitle of a lunar sea; beyond the obvious intent to create a certain conceptual cohesion, these "labels" are perfectly aligned with the mood of each song, subtle and charming; a touch of class, indeed. Relatively short tracks, without too many frills, small emotional snapshots, between an almost sober simplicity and a vague sense of sly omniscience; Ivan plays the guru, with much better results than many others. Among the "little pictures" most successful, I would especially highlight the effective and emblematic "Amare l'assente - mare della fecondità" opening, a synth-disco-philosophical performance, very captivating and packaged with the class of an impeccable storyteller, an exquisite "L'aria - mare della serenità", an impeccable example of positivity and elegant grace, "Buonanotte - mare delle piogge", synth-nostalgia with a light-funky mood and a bittersweet touch, in addition to sax inserts as obvious as indispensable, and then "Baby you don't cry! - mare della tranquillità", an exquisite and sweet ska digression, the most immediate example of the relaxed and strongly positive attitude that permeates "Luna Presente".

An attitude that, towards the end of the album, gradually fades, giving way to more nuanced tones, more intimate reflections: "Brutto pensiero - mare delle nubi", "Boys and girls - oceano delle tempeste", despite the bombastic start, the piano-synth-ballad "In/Con/Per amore - mare del freddo", imbued with dramatic and visionary theatricality. A truly strange album, "Luna Presente", without a before or after, isolated, fascinating; it definitely deserved a more "artistic" cover, but so be it. A high-quality product, an artist of class and charisma, of this I have no doubt, not lacking in a certain eclecticism and capable of adapting "dated" stylistic canons with intelligence and impeccable skill. To listen to on a quiet evening, preferably with a full moon, that's my advice.