Friday 17 December 2021

FIRST ACT

Plurima Mundi came to life in Taranto in 2004 on the initiative of classical violinist and composer Massimiliano Monopoli with the aim of blending progressive, jazz, rock, swing, blues, funky, world and classical music to give form to something challenging and new. In 2009 the band self-released an interesting debut EP entitled Atto I with a line up featuring Massimiliano Monopoli (violin), Grazia Maremonti (vocals), Massimo Bozza (bass), Vincenzo Zecca (guitar), Pierfrancesco Caramia (drums) and Francesco Pagliarulo (piano) plus the guest Lino Vairetti (vocals on one track - from Osanna). The overall sound is rich and varied, the musicianship and compositional skills of the band worth noting...




The opener “Ortus confusus” is an instrumental piece that starts softly, with a dreamy atmosphere and a strong classical flavour. Then the rhythm rises for a short passage that recalls a folkish dance led by the violin that turns into a swinging jazz part with the piano in the forefront. Finally the violin returns to drive back the music in a classical world following other directions...

Next comes “Nei ricordi del tempo” (In the memories of time) that starts by a calm section veined of nostalgia. The music and lyrics evoke the memories of a lost love emerging from an inner sea of emotions, then the rhythm rises, the memories turn into a vortex and begin to dance in circles, hand in hand with time. Everything turns around like in an eternal come back...



The long, complex “Laboratorio 30” (Laboratory 30) is a dreamy piece that goes through many changes in mood and rhythm. The music and lyrics evoke new forms and colours coming to life as darkness falls down, tableaux painted in vivid colours, an illusory world of modernity and brilliant night entertainment where every novelty becomes a fatal attraction. Pictures of a vanity fair where you can get lost between temptation and deceit...

The last track, “Aria” (Air), features the guest vocalist Lino Vairetti interacting with Grazia Maremonti. The music and lyrics evoke the sense of freedom that you can experience by breathing fresh air after escaping from the prison of your daily grind. Mediterranean influences conjure up an enchanted, mysterious atmosphere as a new emotional world opens its gates and invites you to come in. The night hugs and protect you...
 
On the whole, a very good work.
 
 
Plurima Mundi: Atto I (2009). Other opinions:
Jim Russell: "Atto I" is the debut EP by the Taranto based Plurima Mundi, a new 6-piece outfit delivering lavish and elegant compositions that should thrill many RPI fans. They sound markedly different than many other current entries on the RPI scenes, different than the heavy-rock proggers, folkier entries, or those infused with metal or neo influences... This band has a feisty compositional attitude and grabs every style in the book in the search for a unique sound... and it works! Blending so many styles could be a disaster in some cases but not here... (Read the complete review HERE)

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