London Underground - same (2000) (Italy) (Psychedelic/Space Rock/Progressive Rock)

Grupo Italiano, lançou apenas dois álbuns, com um som bem legal, a banda remete a vários grupos principalmente Beatles, mas tem autenticidade! Recomendo!
A side project of STANDARTE's drummer/vocalist Daniele Caputo, this fairly recent Italian trio took their name from the very style of music that was played in the London underground during the late 60's. Caputo is joined by bassist Marco Piaggesi and keyboard player Gianluca Gerlini. Bassist Stefano Gabbani eventually replaced Piagesi and then guitarist Gianni Vergelli also joined in. Their style is similar to STANDARTE albeit much less heavy, and the guitars are used sparingly, leaving room for Gerlini to shine on the Hammond organ, Mellotron and Moog. Their albums feature excellent vocal harmonies that would have fit right into any BEATLES or TRAFFIC album of old. As influences go, we could cite BIGELF, PINK FLOYD, KING CRIMSON, ATOMIC ROOSTER, CARAVAN, ARGENT, and definitely THE BEATLES.

Both of their albums, "London Underground" and "Through a Glass Darkly" (a spoof on an old STONES compilation LP), are a real throwback to the swinging 60's and early 70's; in fact, if it wasn't for the clean production, you'd swear these were recorded in 1970. The first album revisits the late 60's psychedelia whereas the second is fully early 70's progressive. The overall sound is very British (these Italian vocalists possess an impeccable command of the English language, b.t.w.) and both albums are expertly played and well produced. Is it prog? Well, it is definitely experimental yet accessible, delightfully retro and thoroughly enjoyable. Very cool stuff!

Excellent albums for a trip back to the hip days, with tons of Mellotron. Both are highly recommended.

Download

1. Kultual Opus #1 (0:20)
2. Magda K. (4:41)
3. Worst is yet to come (5:32)
4. Squadron Leader (2:46)
5. Everywhere I go (4:20)
6. Mass Baptizer ???
7. Was she worth my Time (6:56)
8. Love is a beautiful Thing (1:46)
9. Watcha gonna do (3:39)

Daniele Caputo - drums, percussion, vocal
Marco Piaggesi - bass, banjo, backing vocal
Gianluca Gerlini - piano, Hammond, organ, Moog, clavinet, Mellotron

Additional musicians:
Claudio Bianchini - pedal steel guitar
Stefano Cudia - guitar
Gianni Corongiu - guitar
Sergio Taglioni - string arrangement