No Strange
...E continuerò ad esistere

The saga of No Strange continues, a group that has become a cult for followers of Italian psychedelia and beyond, considering that their records are downloaded abroad in numerous countries. Undoubtedly, it can be said that the group of Salvatore “Ursus” d’Urso and Alberto Ezzu, starting from Cristalli sognanti of 2011, has had, after the garage and psychedelic revival of the '80s, a new artistic life, even if, in reality, they never disbanded. However, compared to many of the groups from that season, immortalized by the Eighties Colours compilation of Electric Eye by Claudio Sorge, they had a more solid background, and this perhaps explains why they have withstood the test of time. It is no coincidence that they have their roots in the early '70s when RA-GEBEL were formed with Ursus and Alberto Ezzu already present. The name RA-GEBEL was a tribute to the Ash Ra Tempel, and Ursus himself designed a cover (unfortunately lost) inspired by the first mythical album of the German band. After the punk period, which they considered important socially because it encouraged many to start playing, the No-Strani, later becoming No Strange, were formed. Unfortunately, their records, released by Toast, are not reissued due to their old label, but they can be listened to on YouTube. In any case, their artistic inspiration has always remained alive, as demonstrated by this new ...E continuerò ad esistere, published as usual by Area Pirata and Psych Out, for the time being, only in vinyl limited to 500 copies.

Ursus's visionary and "psychedelic" cover is an excellent introduction to the spirit of this work. Compared to recent records like Armonia vivente tra analogie e contrasti and Il sentiero delle tartarughe, it is noticeable, as already happened in the previous Mutter Der Erde, a lesser inclination towards experimentation and improvisation, with a more compact yet always expansive sound. On the other hand, despite coming from prog and psychedelia, the No Strange have never indulged in long suites for their own sake or unnecessary virtuosity. The influences are the usual ones, namely Krautrock (echoes of Amon Düül II can be heard), Italian psychedelia, and even folk revival (we also find, along with guitar, bass, drums, and synth, the use of ancient medieval and exotic instruments like the medieval lute and the Turkish saz) of the Incredible String Band. An important role is played by contralto Paola Scatena (the Renate Knaup of the situation) who manages to give, with her voice, a dreamy touch to the whole. I believe that the great merit of No Strange is to update and keep current a sound (the psychedelic one) that had its zenith in the late '60s and early '70s but continues to make sense, especially in an era as materialistic and uncertain as ours, where a great need, even on an unconscious level, for spiritualism and mysticism is felt.

The vinyl cover is gatefold, and inside there is an 8-page booklet containing the lyrics by Ursus and Alberto Ezzu, published on record from 1985 to the present, introduced by a presentation by Fiorella Gentile. Below is an interview conducted with Ursus by Lele Roma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UutjaMae23c.

Available on Bandcamp, Youtube, and Spotify: https://areapiratarec.bandcamp.com/album/e-continuer-ad-esistere.