Le Orme
Elementi

"Elementi" is the only album by Le Orme without a review on the site, so let's quickly and briefly address that.

First of all, the cover, it's a fitting interpretation by Paul Whitehead of the four elements.

Compared to the previous album (the enjoyable "Il fiume"), it presents itself as more dynamic musically.

The quality of the songs comes very close to the masterpieces of the '70s, not simply by copying themselves, but by dressing them with a modern sound.

There are 4 suites on the four elements, which follow one another seamlessly.

The compositions are well-balanced between faster tracks and more dreamy ones, as well as between vocal and instrumental sections.

The sound dominated by the two keyboardists is very dense and voluminous, enriched by Aldo Tagliapietra's bass, with some occasional splashes of Hammond.

Keyboardist Michele Bon, an excellent musician, is also involved with the guitar parts (listen to his customized keyboard emulate the sound of the guitar), supported by Andrea Bassato who replaces Francesco Sartori here, on piano and violin.

Probably fans of the group's '70s sound might wrinkle their noses at the inclusion of the "electric guitar," however, such inserts represent a welcome contrast to the many keyboard-dominated passages.

The pieces are generally more concise than the productions of the early seventies, the longest track "Il vento, il cielo e la notte," slightly exceeds 7 minutes, once again demonstrating what a great singer Aldo Tagliapietra is.

"Danza del vento (prima parte)" is a splendid Overture, with Michi Dei Rossi's drums being as beautiful as ever.

The result is an excellent progressive rock album, perhaps not innovative to most ears, but greatly effective in terms of composition and artistic performance.