Oltremare
Archinue' is one of those new bands you hope has not blown all their talent on their first album. Debuting at this year's Festival, the band easily captured the critics' prize for their unusual sound and arrangements. Hailing from Sicily the group seems to create a sound that I can best describe as Sicilian-Gospel-Blues-Jazz-Country and may just a be a small part of the description of their festival cut, La marcia dei santi. I enjoyed the album as an example of how exhilarating music can be when the boundaries are pushed in every direction. A word of caution, however, this album is not for everyone. Keep in mind this is a new band. Even if the pieces are well produced there are a few misses among the 14 cuts. If you are willing to take a chance and experiment, then try this album. You will be amazed how quickly you will be tapping your toes and hoping these guys make it very big.

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"Messaggi Dal Vivo"
For the review of this album I promise to be nice. I enjoyed this compilation of Matia Bazar's greatest hits live along with the song that won the Festival. Messaggio d'amore is the lead track and the winning track from this year's event. A nice song, easy to hum. Ritmo della luna is another new track. The remaining 15 tracks are culled from the best the group has offered over the years in its various incarnations and lead singers and member changes. I rate this album a strong must have. It provides a good look at a band that has endured over the years and the development of style that has allowed them to turn out hit after hit for 20 years plus. Fans will want it and newcomer should have it as part of their growing collections. The music can be classified as Italian pop with more experimentation present in the earlier works.

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"Messaggi Dal Vivo"
For the review of this album I promise to be nice. I enjoyed this compilation of Matia Bazar's greatest hits live along with the song that won the Festival. Messaggio d'amore is the lead track and the winning track from this year's event. A nice song, easy to hum. Ritmo della luna is another new track. The remaining 15 tracks are culled from the best the group has offered over the years in its various incarnations and lead singers and member changes. I rate this album a strong must have. It provides a good look at a band that has endured over the years and the development of style that has allowed them to turn out hit after hit for 20 years plus. Fans will want it and newcomer should have it as part of their growing collections. The music can be classified as Italian pop with more experimentation present in the earlier works.

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"Radio Rebelde"
Being a fan of the group makes it all the more difficult to tell you that this album did not do it for me. Their previous album and the live album were almost everything I could wish for in a cd. Somehow, they must have expended all the good creative energies on that cd and cobbled this one together from stuff they thought might fit somewhere, somehow. The album lacks the edge and energy that characterize earlier cds. This one is on autopilot and it shows in the songs that seem all to familiar and the themes that have already been tried. There were a couple of songs that worked but they are overwhelmed by the majority of mediocre pieces. I urge you to skip this cd in favor of some of the previous titles like Raccolti (live) and Fuori Campo. Save your money from this album, invest it wisely and hope that MCR will come up with something worth buying next time around. Pssst, anybody want to buy a slightly used copy of Radio Rebelde?

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"Se"
Gino Paoli was singing before I was even born. At 67 years old he is still at the top of his game as his 3rd place finish at the Festival can attest. The album contains all new material including the Festival song Un altro amore. The style is mellow standards/pop with the distinctive vocal intonations that Paoli provides. His last couple od albums were so-so. This album should jump to near the top of your must have list list. Paoli can show a thing or two to the acts which seem to come and go without leaving a trace on the Italian music scene. Paoli has endured by appealing to successive generations with style and solid efforts. Of the 11 cuts, I enjoyed at least 7 of them without question. Have no qualms about adding this album to any collection. If you really want a treat, go back quite a few years to the album he did with Ornella Vanoni entitled Insieme (1985) or a solo live effort (Gino Paoli dal Vivo '89). Trust me on this one.

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"Sanremo 2002"
Okay, so let's be honest, the Festival this year was a little lame. Once you got past the first few songs in each category, you found yourself wallowing in an ocean of near mediocrity. And of course, with two compilations, the mediocrity is spread around for more to enjoy. But enough Mr. Nice Guy, let me tell you about this compilation and its contents. The cd features 12 Festival tracks (however, not all of the 12 are competition songs) and 5 bonus non-festival tracks. I liked four songs out of the first 12. The featured cuts are by Francesco Renga, Anna Tantangelo, Valentina Giovagnini and Gianluca Grignani. I thought that Renga cut was especially good. As to the Tantangelo and Giovagnini, who placed 1 and 2 in the new artist category, they were not bad... although I would have reversed the order of finish for them.

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"Supersanremo 2002"
-This is a 2 cd set of 29 songs with a majority from the competition. There are a few gems in the collection. Kudos to Gino Paoli, Alexia, Silvestri, D'Angelo, Nava and Matia Bazar on cd 1. Praise for the new group Archinue' on cd for their rousing peace which captured the critics' prize at the festival. As to the rest of the songs, well, let's just say the discount bins are waiting. The collections are a question of picking your poison. Both provide an overview of the Festival with the Sony collections getting the edge for more selection of hits.

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All the Hits NOW and All the Hits NOW 2002
Late last year I picked up a copy of the original NOW compilation and loved it. It contains a mix of current rock and pop which fun to listen to and gets into your head because of the selection of songs. NOW features Tiziano Ferro (one of the hottest artists in Italy with 'xdono'), Lunapop, Neffa, Gazosa, Alex Britti and Giorgia and many others. The cd is an excellent sampler to bring you up to date on all the various styles and artists on the Italian pop/rock/hip hop/rap scene today. The original NOW is a recommended buy for all fans of Italian top 40 music. NOW 2002 is a different story. To say it was a waste of money might be taking it too far. However, it was very disappointing. I let the album play through and wondered if maybe it was in the wrong package. There are but a few good songs. It seems more than likely that producers pulled some of the second tier songs from artists in an effort to build the compilation. I cannot recommend this as a buy. The best I can do remind you to check the list of artists thoroughly and think twice before purchasing the cd. You may wish to experiment; just don't say that I didn't warn you beforehand!

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Notre Dame de Paris - music by Riccardo Cocciante
A few years ago, Riccardo Cocciante wandered off to France to find fame and fortune....well, that may not be the real story but it is a nice way to start a story. Cocciante has been involved in bringing Victor Hugo's great novel that we know as The Hunchback of Notre Dame to the stage as a musical. He worked on the original version in French. Now, the Italian version is debuting in Italy and the like named cd is out in Italian. Version of the French stage production have been out for years. The cd was worth the wait. Without having seen the play it is somewhat difficult to place the songs in context. However, the 16 song album does move along nicely with such familiar artists from past Sanremo's such as Gio' di Tonno and Marco Guerzoni. You can actually feel Cocciante's imprint on many of the songs as the melodies remind you of past albums. But the cd is not Cocciante revisited. It is more of a group effort that utilizes everyone's talents quite nicely. The story is told via music and the songs have just the right tone to draw you into the story. this cd is a recommended buy for fans of the Italian musical stage (Italy is not known for many modern musicals) and for those interest in hearing what all the fuss has been about now that millions have seen the French production.

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9/NOV/2001
With the title being the release date, you can see just how late this review is. Those who are familiar with Antonacci will not be surprised at the wonderful mix of rock and ballads he creates for this album. Although this album is closer in style to works from 6-7 years ago, he shows good maturity and command in each of the songs. For fans, this is an opportunity to add to their collections of a consistent artist whose rocky songs will have you tapping along without realizing it. Newcomers will find that the album offers a nice overview of his style and can be used as a barometer for measuring past offerings. This cd is a no regrets buy for fans.

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Luca
I have always had sort of mixed feelings about Luca Carboni. I like some of his songs but am not bouncing with excitement. His latest effort is a nice collection of songs that show Carboni at his best with songs that fall within his range of mellow beats. For fans, this is a must have. the songs are expertly executed and show a Carboni in top form. For novices, I leave it up to you. Carboni is not for everyone. For some his style may be a little too laid back. However, this album is one I do not mind owning and have no regrets about the purchase.

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E Ritorno Da Te - The Best of Laura Pausini
Laura Pausini has come out with her first best of album. It is a collection of a couple of new songs along with new versions of her classics. Hard to believe how far she has come since her debut at Sanremo nine years ago with La Solitudine. The album is a nice cross section of her career. For fans it is an opportunity to pick up a couple of the new songs (E ritorno da te and Una storia che vale) and hear the maturity in Laura's voice since her early albums. For newcomers the album is a nice and well rounded peak into one of the most successful female artist in both Italy and the Spanish speaking world.

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Il Lanciatore di Coltelli
I will freely admit that Roberto Vecchioni has always been one of my favorite cantautori from the first time I heard him sing Robinson and Monte Cristo (talk about going back!). However, even if I were not a Vecchioni fan, I would love this album. I believe you will find a Vecchioni that still manages to enthrall with his words and music. While maintaining his classic form in some songs, Vecchioni ventures into new themes and sounds with confidence and success. The album is pleasing on many levels and shows an artist willing to experiment rather than sit on his laurels. Among my favorite cuts on the album are Figlio, Figlio, Figlio, Storia e Leggenda del Lanciatore and the title track. The other eight songs also manage to pull their weight on this cd. Vecchioni's strength lies in his ability to make us relate to the characters in his songs. You will find yourself captivated and yearning to find out more. Il lanciatore di coltelli is a recommended buy for fans and for those who wish to hear one of the premiere singer-songwriters of the last 30 years.

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La Curva dell'Angelo
My first memory of Renato Zero was him dressed in one of his outlandish costumes on an old album cover. My next memory is of listening to him sing Spiagge in the early 1980s. Fast forward to 2002 and my growing collection of Zero albums. La Curva dell'Angelo continues in the same vein as his last few cds. The songs can generally be described as ranging from pop to softer ballad like pieces. Overall, I give the album a good grade. However, I am a little worried that I am starting to be unable to distinguish the last few albums from each other. For Zero devotees, the album should be added to the collection as a continued example of fine work. For those new to this artist, you can pick anyone of the last few albums and be satisfied with the contents. It does make for good listening. Overall, the album is a buy with caution.

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Luna Matana
I listened to this album over and over and over. I thought maybe I was missing something. Nope. This album proves that even a great artist can have a mediocre album. The cd is more miss than hit. It has a certain inconsistency that runs through it. There are a couple of good songs scattered throughout the album. But generally the album is a testament to a good concept and intentions gone bad. I think most listeners will want to try some of his other albums and wait until this one shows up in the sales bins. If you are a diehard fan, get the album to satisfy your curiousity. If you are new to this, skip it and go back an album or two for better Dalla material.

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Scaramente
It has been so long since I reviewed on of his records, I thought he had left the field of music after the Sanremo appearance years ago. Fortunately, Cristiano did not retire but apparently has been carefully crafting a stellar album. The bottom line is buy this album. I believe you will be very surprised and satisfied by the contents. The songs are generally very melodic with excellent experimental efforts thrown in. But gets you is how well the songs seem to flow from him. There is nothing forced or phony about this disc. It is a wonderfully assembled mix of style which captures your ear, enters your mind and gives you moment for pause. As Fabrizio De Andre's son, I am sure Cristiano has had a great many expectations put upon him. This album delivers in a way that he has not done for many years. This cd will provide a nice intro for everyone and is highly recommended from the first track, Buona Speranza, to the last, Il silenzio e la luce.

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La voice del grano
If you enjoy the type of music NCCP makes, get this album. NCCP has been around for years creating music in Neapolitan dialect with a somewhat modern twist while retaining its roots in tradition. It is hard to explain but easy to listen to. Every once in a while they hit just the right chord. While their albums are generally good, there are some that stand out more than others. That is definitely the case here. Overall, it is an easily digestable album that manages to make you relax and transports you far away. The mix of mediterrean rhythms extends beyond the borders of Italy and touches Africa. Give a close listen to the album and to Accussi' and Il carro e la luna which are among my favorites. Make the leap and give the group a try especially with this cd.

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Vibrazioni
He's back! Gatto's last album was quite disappointing. This album is just the opposite. The quality of the songs and sound is consistent throughout the cd. It reminds me a little of his excellent Impronte Digitale album from a few years ago. The cd is a mix of melodies that range from ballads to pop to light rock. Through each type of music, Gatto Panceri comes through with excellent results in all 13 cuts. The album is a recommended buy for fans and for starters looking for a decent album without being shocked silly. Panceri is more noted for penning songs for the big artists, it is a shame more people do not know he is quite a good performer in his own right.

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La Vie en Rouge (in concerto)
I will keep it simple. If you like Ruggeri, get the album. If you want to discover Ruggeri as he reinterprets some of his best pieces, get the album. This double cd is quite good as it covers the songs that have made Ruggeri famous. However, keep in mind the songs have been rearranged. Some of th eedge comes off the pieces but it is replaced by maturity and depth. I recommend the album for everyone as an excellent choice to have on hand. Enrico Ruggeri has been around Italian music for many years. He albums are always well crafted, even the ones that miss the mark. This cd is a nice summary of his career and shows that he can still reinvent himself to show a new perspective even with pieces you thought you knew.

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Shake
The Italian bluesman has returned with a fast-paced, well assembled album. My only problem is that I feel like I have been here before. This is a deja vu album. I had a couple of people listen to it and they thought it had songs they had heard before on previous albums. This is both a good and bad thing. It is nice to hear consistency and familiarity in the cd. It is bad to think you have been there before at least 2 years from the last cd. The cd is a good mix of rock, blues and slower paced ballads. I would rate this on a buy for both fans and novices. Fans will want it for their collections and novices will find this album provides and nice intro to Zucchero's work. The album takes off at a fast pace with Sento le campane and Music in me. Ali d'oro with John Lee Hooker provides a nice transition early in the album. The album is good and worth the listen.

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