News: BTF/AMS releases archival Kundalini Shakti Devi from 1974

Thanks to a observation by our good friend Spacefreak, it appears AMS/BTF have uncovered a new rarity. I know nothing about the music, sound quality, etc..., but it certainly warrants mentioning! Here's the label scoop:

"As sometimes happens, the eponymous “Kundalinî Shakti Devî” release is a mysterious album, hidden for decades - was recorded back in 1974! - on a tape stored in some drawer, that has been reopened and rediscovered only today. History repeats: the mastermind of the project, Roberto “Paramhansa” Puddu, managed to put together an ensemble of seven musicians with whom he recorded three long tracks, lasting an average of over 15 minutes each, but the genre in 1974 was already struggling to attract the interest of some music manager who could produce and distribute the LP.

The music is inspired by the classic Italian progressive rock, with lyrics about science fiction ("Sensitivity", "Galactic Museum") and criticism of the consumer society ("Flash"), while the ‘external’ influences 'external' carry the name of Van Der Graaf Generator and some German cosmic music – just listen to the long instrumental song sections to realize that yourself!

An exceptional discovery, to stay besides the minor – but not less important, of course! – classics of Italian prog."

News: BTF reissues Robert Genco's "Beyond the Life (Oltre la Vita)"

Midwest Mike wrote in this week to let me know about this title, which I hadn't heard of prior. BTF says this about it:

"1977: was the year in which Italian Progressive Rock was closing its vital cycle, tough there were still two masterpieces of its kind to be released: one is the famous Locanda delle Fate, while the second and was left for too long in the vaults, as it has never been reissued for almost 40 years: we talk of Robert Genco’s “Beyond the life”. Given that the drummer Robert Genco must not be confused with Robert
Genco of 'Genco Puro and co, "Beyond the Life is a wonderful prog rock album, where the drummer blends Italian prog, with an ultra-sophisticated jazz-rock. The influences are kaleidoscopic, with the opening track (Angoscia) that runs through the streets of jazz prog at its best: James Senese and Napoli Centrale, Osanna, but also Perigeo. The title track " Beyond the Life” could almost be described as a tribute to the PFM, while" All recomposes "is prog rock close to Yes and Genesis. The B side is a long suite which summarizes the influences cited before, by adding flavors of Chick Corea, Dedalus, Canzoniere del Lazio, but with an extremely progressive drumming. A gem of rare beauty, finally rediscovered!

Paperlseeve package with extended liner notes. With two bonus tracks!"

News: BTF releases Garybaldi archive album

If nothing else, what an absolutely AMAZING cover. Wow, I wish all new releases took the time and effort to put out something like this. Time to put away the Photoshop tools I think, and get back to real paintings such as this.

This cover of course is an homage to what I consider one of the top 10 LP covers of all-time: The triple fold out of "Nuda". One of my prized possessions.

Garybaldi - Note Perdute

"An amazing collection of rarities for one of the most important bands of Italian 70′s prog-rock: Garybaldi. This anthology contains a track that was meant to be included in their Gleemen debut, some live and alternate versions recorded between 1969 and 1998, and an amazing gem, three live tracks recorded during the Naples Be-In festival of 1973, one of the very few testimonies of those legendary festivals, as in those times no one used to record gigs in Italy! The CD version of this release also includes a special DVD documentary dedicated to Garybaldi with some amazing interviews and vintage videos. Also a vinyl version for collectors will be released.
The artwork has been entirely conceived by Matteo Guarnaccia, one of the most important psychedelic painters in Italy: inspired by the famous “Nuda” cover art, he draw a marvellous triple gatefold artwork.

This record will be celebrate in 4 different releases:
1) Triple gatefold LP with 180g black vinyl and a 25x60cm poster with vintage pics of Garybaldi/Gleemen.
2) Triple gatefold LP with multicolor vinyl, a 25x60cm poster with vintage pics of Garybaldi/Gleemen, a special glossy deluxe transparent 60x90cm maxiposter with 24 original comic cartoons drawn by Matteo Guarnaccia, numbered and autographed by the artist himself. Limited edition of 100 copies.
3) “Garybaldi-Guarnaccia” box containing: Triple gatefold LP with 180g black vinyl, the two 25x60cm photographic and 60x90cm comic posters, the CD+DVD release and one of the 24 original drawings inclued in the deluxe poster. Limited edition of 24 copies, available only on Matteo Guarnaccia exhibitions.
4) CD+DVD in triple papersleeve format. Contains the CD and the DVD with over one hour of Garybaldy rock-umentary, with interviews of all band members and many vintage videos of the golden age of Italian prog.

Tracklist:
Il volto stanco della gente (unreleased)
Hai messo al rogo M. H. (alternate version)
Harold (live 1998)
Luci buie (Live 1973)
Madre di cose perdute (Live 1973)
Sette? (Live 1973)
Passaminabirra (unreleased, live)"

News: BTF releases a new archival discovery: Le Vite Parallele

BTF has a few exciting looking items on the horizon (including a new album by Nuova Era, one of my favorite Italian bands of the late 80s and early 90s).

This one looks to be an embryonic work, and a missing link as it were from the Italian beat scene to the progressive one. Unlike in the US or England, the Italian progressive rock scene just seemed to "wake up" one day, and there it was. No doubt there were other bands / recordings like this one (going off the notes below of course). Looks like a great discovery! Also, really interesting story about the first Formula 3 album cover (one of the all-time great covers on an otherwise mundane beat styled album).

"Le Vite Parallele are a sensational discovery, since we are dealing with a concept album, recorded in Milan between 1969 and 1970 and never published until now!
Formed by singer Enzo Maolucci and recorded in the famous "Basilica" of Mina, arranged by Nando De Luca (the one of "Azzurro"!) and nearly released by Sandro Colombini, boss of the famous "Numero Uno " label, this work is also remarkable for the wonderful cover made by Tullio Rolandi: when Alberto Radius saw the sketches, he immediately contacted him, and that is how the artwork of the famous "Dies Irae" of Formula Tre was created.
This record is a remarkable document because it comes in a moment in time when Italian prog records could be counted on the fingers of one hand. Even more surprising that it is a concept album! Musically it is strongly focused on melodies, with relatively short tracks, but baroque arrangements and a use of keyboards that predicts the symphonic prog scene, that would be developed shortly thereafter by the big ones.
So this is a fundamental step to understand evolution of Italian prog in its beginnings and it is still unbelievable how such a fundamental piece of work has been left in oblivion for all these years.
Limited edition of 500 copies, deluxe papersleeve containing a large poster showing the history of the band and all the wonderful graphic sketches made in 1970.

1 STREGA D’APRILE
2 IL BUCO NEL MURO
3 SUI BALZI ROSSI
4 PER MIKE McCOY
5 IN QUESTA SELVA
6 CROCE PESANTE
7 PER DEOLA
8 I DABI LAMA LINDE
9 LA VECCHIA E LA STORIA
10 SCIMMIE NUDE
11 CALCI IN FACCIA
12 DI ERIKA
13 LE MELE D’ORO"