Wow, what a combination: Norwegian vintage keyboard player Lars Fredrik Frĝislie ('solo' one of my current prog favourites) and Italian singer Stefano "Lupo" Galifi (vocals on Zarathustra by Museo Rosenbach, one of the most beautiful and compelling Classic Italian Prog albums), the goose bumps started before my first listening session! "When I wrote Et Sted Under Himmelhvelvet I imagined an Italian version in my head with just Stefano "Lupo" Galifi's vocals. Not so surprising, perhaps, since he is one of my my favourite vocalists. I have loved his slightly raspy, but powerful and soulful vocals, ever since I discovered Museo Rosenbach as a teenager. When the opportunity presented itself, I thought it couldn't hurt to ask him, and it gave me much joy that he was actually willing to sing on Quattro Racconti, a new version of my first solo album Fire Fortellinger from 2023. He brings a new dimension to the songs, and it's incredible that he actually sings just as well today as he did 50 years ago. For me, it was both emotional and surreal to hear a voice I have known and loved throughout much of my life, singing my songs." (Lars Fredrik Frĝislie, 2025) So how about that eagerly awaited very interesting musical collaboration? Well, from the very first moment I am blown away, what an awesome Old School keyboard driven prog, to me it sounds like a tribute to the legendary Museo Rosenbach sound on Zarathustra (I still own the Contempo version, bought at Syn-Phonic from Greg Walker in 1992). Il Cavaliere Dell'Apocalisse: From sumptuous outbursts with glorious Mellotron violins and choirs to a mid-tempo beat with powerful Hammond organ runs and propulsive rhythm-section. From dreamy with inspired Italian vocals and tender piano to a break with Hammond runs. And a compelling atmosphere with lush vintage keyboards to a great build-up and bombastic grand finale, soaked with Mellotrons and embellished with emotional vocals, reminding me of Anekdoten their epic Sad Rain, and of course Museo Rosenbach, wow! Un Posto Sotto Il Cielo: Inspired vocals, lush vintage keyboards (Mellotron, Minimoog and Hammond), a growling Rickenbacker bass, lots of changing atmospheres, and Lupo lifts every vocal moment to a higher level. Presagio: Between a powerful mid-tempo beat with Hammond and growling bass, a bombastic climate and a dreamy atmosphere, topped with delicate harpsichord and wonderful Italian vocals. Cattedrale Della Natura: Lots of shifting moods, fuelled by a dynamic rhythm-section, and embellished with those wonderful vintage keyboards, the Hammond and Mellotron. What an exciting and compelling Old School prog, and again Lupo rises to the occasion with his wonderful and dramatic voice! This is a trip to Vintage Keyboard Walhalla and Classic Italian Prog Heaven, led by the return of the giant Lupo! Line-up / Musicians - Lars Fredrik Frĝislie / Hammond C3, Mellotron M400, Minimoog D, Chamberlin M1, Hohner Clavinet D6, spinet, Yamaha electric piano, ARP Axxe & Pro Soloist synths, Solina String Ensemble, Rhodes MKII, Wurlitzer 200, tremoloa (zither), recorder, drums, Minimoog solo, With: - Stefano "Lupo" Galifi / vocals - Nikolai Hĉngsle / bass **** Erik Neuteboom (edited by Dave Smith) Where to buy? |
