AN ACCOMPLISHED WORK OF ART

In 2014 Latte e Miele released on the independent Black Widow label a re-elaborated version their debut album Passio Secundum Mattheum adding some sections and filling some gaps in the narrative parts. The line up featuring Marcello Giancarlo Dellacasa (electric and classical guitar), Oliviero Lacagnina (piano, keyboards), Alfio Vitanza (drums, vocals) and Massimo Gori (bass, vocals) re-recorded the album with the intention to leave the narrative parts to the voice of don Andrea Gallo (18 July 1928 - 22 May 2013), an Italian presbyter, founder and leader of the community of San Benedetto al Porto of Genoa, best known for helping poor and needy people. Unfortunately he passed away before the album was completed and that’s why the album is dedicated to his memory. Eventually, the narrative vocals were provided by some prestigious guests such as Silvana Aliotta (Circus 2000), Paolo Carelli (Pholas Dactylus), Giorgio D’Adamo (New Trolls), Aldo De Scalzi (Picchio dal Pozzo); Sophya Baccini (Presence, Sophya Baccini’s Aradia), Alvaro Fella (Jumbo), Paolo Griguolo (Picchio dal Pozzo), Max Manfredi, Elisa Montaldo (Il Tempio delle Clessidre), Simonluca and Lino Vairetti (Osanna). The new version of the opera features also a string quartet and a choir to add more colours to the musical fabric while the new art work is dedicated to Storm Thorgerson and tries to reflect his style to depict the musical content. In my opinion, this new version is far better than the original one, for many reasons...

Back in 1972, when the original album Passio Secundum Mattheum was released, the instruments of the time, the sound engineers, and the Italian recording studios were certainly not up to par with those of today. Furthermore, the young band had to compromise with their record company and limit the album's running time by cutting some sections. The new version does justice to this complex and intensely beautiful rock opera, recovering what was lost and adding new sounds and nuances. The new version is the fruit of the work of experienced musicians, aware of their abilities and capable of shedding new light on their youthful compositions, bringing them to completion for the listener's delight.

The new version doesn't distort the original plot or introduce any sonic elements that might seem out of place or out of context. It's a work that's extremely respectful of the past, yet looks to the present and modernises sounds and melodies without sacrificing the vintage atmosphere. In fact, for the "Toccata for Organ", a section not included on the original album, an old recording from 1972 was used. The final result is extremely convincing and definitely deserves a place in the collection of any Italian prog enthusiast.

You can listen to the complete album HERE

Latte e Miele: Passio Secundum Mattheum – The Complete Work (2014). Other opinions:

Michael "Aussie-Byrd-Brother": Some listeners may find the constant direction changes and multiple narrated guests initially intimidating and off-putting, but perseverance pays off perfectly for those willing to give this work the necessary amount of plays for it to start making sense. `Passio Secundum Matthaeum - The Complete Work' is a gift for fans who cherish the beloved original, as well as a sumptuous aural treat for newcomers to discover. It's possibly one of the finest modern releases from a vintage Italian act, and comes across as a hugely important and defining progressive rock work in general for 2014. Italian prog doesn't come any more grand, lavish and exquisite than this, and it's certainly one of the most sophisticated works to appear on the Black Widow label to date... (read the complete review HERE)