Le Orme
Contrappunti

Contrappunti closes the first Prog Rock phase of the group. Although the subsequent "Smogmagica" features sounds that lean more towards Funky and Hard Rock due to the "exploits" of guitarist Tolo Marton. Additionally, in this album, Le Orme benefit from the piano help of Gian Piero Reverberi, who is also the band's producer and a previous collaborator of Fabrizio De André and New Trolls.

The opening is entrusted to the title track. The piece is completely instrumental, characterized by an introduction of the Hammond, soon accompanied by the piano. After the small improvised part, the synthesizers play "gloomy" notes, followed by a stunning piano phrasing, then returning to the initial theme. "Frutto Acerbo" is a simple acoustic "ballad". The lyrics revisit what was left in "Uomo Di Pezza", meaning the theme of sexual violence. Arpeggiated guitar and the delicate phrasing of the piano are the fundamental elements of this track. With "Aliante", we return to the instrumental. From the introduction, one can deduce that it is a robust, well-structured composition. Throughout its duration, the piece is supported by a striking melodic round of the synthesizer and a well-placed drum rhythm. "India" is a track with strong atmospheres. In the sung part, one can notice a well-highlighted bass and an "airy" synthesizer. The instrumental interlude is a real concentrate of mysterious Indian atmospheres. We then return to the sung theme. "La Fabbricante D'Angeli" opens with the soft notes of keyboards and a bass background, then lets the piano outburst. Over a relentless drum rhythm, the sweet notes of the flute are laid, then harmonized by the Hammond: "from the deepest darkness of the night...". After Aldo's "welcoming" sung part, an endless race begins between Pagliuca's keyboards and Michi's drums. The group has tackled (often through metaphors) themes like: prostitution ("Era Inverno"), drugs ("Morte Di Un Fiore"), sexual violence ("Uomo Di Pezza"), abandonment, loneliness ("Felona e Sorona"), and in this track, they talk about another thing that pervades humanity... abortion, a much-discussed topic at the time. "Notturno" is a "duet" between piano and Hammond keyboard. The piece is very calm and light, with gong nuances in the middle. The album closes with "Maggio", a cheerful and fairly long piece. Over a melodic bed of synthesizers, there is a well-rhythmed bass, and meanwhile, Hammond and drum breaks "appear". Once Aldo's sung part ends, an instrumental part begins where drums and keyboards dominate. Here too, the subject is important, they talk about the Church and its contradictions. "Like the face of a sweet nun who discovers herself in the mirror"...

By carefully analyzing this record, one can conclude that it is not at all true that it makes one regret the group's previous works. It has often been seen as a 2 or 3 album, but I personally would give it a solid 4. After all, who today could make an album like this?!