Week of July 25, 2004

I Califfi

Franco Boldrini - bass, vocals
Sandro Cinotti - organ, piano, moog
Vincenzo Amadei - guitar, vocals
Maurizio Boldrini - drums, vocals

Fiore Di Metallo - 1973 CETRA LPX23
CD: Fonit Cetra CDLP420, 1991; Warner Fonit 8573 82054-2

First assembled as a beat group in the late sixties, I Califfi reformed in 1972, when their music veered towards heavy progressive rock. The result was a fairly good album with relatively short (3-5 minutes), melodious and traditionally constructed tunes. As such, the album differed somewhat from the more complex Italian progressive sound of many other bands. The two instrumental tracks on the album recalled movie themes (or a compact version of the more archetypical Italian progressive sound!) Some would argue that there is too wide a gap between its soft-rock songs and some fiery heavy rock (but didn't Led Zeppelin's style vary, although they are best remembered as a "heavy" group?) The band might have benefited from a less restricted formula with more extended instrumental parts, as the keyboards show much promise. As it stands, 'Fiore Di Metallo' is a light-hearted, melodious and pleasant album, lacking a little in depth.

Palolo Tofani, a previous member of I Califfi, re-recorded many of the tracks included in 'Fiore Di Metallo' for his solo album (credited to Electric Frankenstein), albeit with English lyrics. It is unclear whether he had any involvement in the recording of 'Fiore Di Metallo', but he isn't credited on the cover.

Taken from Scented Gardens of the Mind - A guide to the Golden Era of Progressive Rock (1968-1980) in more than 20 European Countries, by Dag Erik Asbjørnsen, Borderline Productions, ISBN 1-899855-12-2


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