Genealogia by Perigeo

Genealogia, released in 1974, is the third album by Perigeo, one of the great Italian jazz-rock groups of the 1970s (along with  Arti & Mestieri and  Area), but probably the least Italian of them all.

Only instrumental songs for a band, it features incredibly talented musicians, a very refined jazz rock with a unique atmosphere, thanks in part to the acoustic guitars and saxophones.

An excellent album of Italian jazz-rock fusion, this one also entirely instrumental, with splendid melodies and great technique. It's perhaps less innovative than their previous works, but its sound is made up of splendid arrangements for acoustic guitar and saxophone, great keyboard work with a more pronounced rock influence, and Tony Sidney's superb guitar playing and the excellent harmony between all the musicians.

Some notes on the tracks:

Genealogia, the title track, is exceptional, a sort of medieval dance with spectacular fuzz organ.
Polaris, with its excellent electric piano crescendo.
Via Beato Angelico, the softest, almost Latin-like track, with great congas.
In Vino Veritas, the longest track, with a strong electric guitar part, the most progressive piece on the album.

It's not considered their masterpiece, but it's one of the band's greatest hits, rockier than their previous albums, one of the reasons I simply adore it.

Tracklist

1. Genealogia (8:25)
2. Polaris (5:00)
3. Torre del lago (3:06)
4. Via beato angelico (4:55)
5. (In) vino veritas (6:45)
6. Monti pallidi (3:31)
7. Grandi spazi (3:36)
8. Old Vienna (3:22)
9. Sidney's call (4:55)

Duration 43:35

LineUp

- Bruno Biriaco - drums, percussion
- Franco D'Andrea - acoustic and electric pianos
- Claudio Fasoli - alto and soprano saxophones, percussion (7)
- Tony Sidney - acoustic and electric guitars, bongos (9)
- Giovanni Tommaso - vocals, bass, double bass, Moog (1-4-8), percussion (2)
+ Mandrake - percussion (2), congas (4)

Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page.