AREA — Arbeit Macht Frei (Il Lavoro Rende Liberi) (review)

AREA — Arbeit Macht Frei (Il Lavoro Rende Liberi) album cover Album · 1973 · Jazz Related Rock Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
Warthur
At a time when most Italian progressive rock bands were worshipping at the altar of Trespass-era Genesis, Area provided a breath of fresh air. Their major inspiration appears to have been Frank Zappa's work, particularly the fusion of Hot Rats to the classical-free jazz mashups of Uncle Meat, Burnt Weeny Sandwich and Weasels Ripped My Flesh. The major difference is that, firstly, Area generally play louder and heavier and more aggressively than the original Mothers of Invention did, and secondly keyboards and synthesisers crop up a bit more than in the Mothers' material - though Area are generally far less keyboard-reliant than most other Italian progressive bands of the time. This will be a shock to the system if you are a prog fan expecting something along the lines of Banco, PFM or Le Orme, but fusion fans will find a lot to like here.
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