Ys by Il Balletto Di Bronzo

Ys by the band Il Balletto Di Bronzo, Italian progressive rock from 1972, their best album in my opinion and one of the finest records released in Italy at the time.

The band was founded in Naples in 1969 and disbanded in 1973 due to lack of popularity after releasing two albums, only to reunite in 1996.

Their first LP, Sirio 2222, oriented itself towards psychedelic rock and '60s blues rock, but in 1971, Gianni Leone and bassist Vito Manzari joined on keyboards and vocals, replacing Cecione and Cupaiuolo.

Keyboards significantly changed the sound, and with this album they reached their pinnacle. This highly sophisticated work evolves toward symphonic rock, with highly elaborate elements of jazz and classical influences. This album makes Il Balletto di Bronzo one of the most important and pioneering bands on the Italian prog scene.

A short album, about 38 minutes long, with five tracks, the most notable being the song titled "Introduction," which lasts over 15 minutes. Despite its introductory nature, it's actually the longest piece on the album and also one of its highlights.

The sound? A triumph of mellotron and keyboards, masterfully executed. An album worth listening to carefully, given its complexity, its '70s vibe, and exceptional guitar and vocal work. It offers excellent bass patterns and fantastic keyboards, often in counterpoint, along with impressive guitar parts. And all this in moments where each instrument pushes to the max simultaneously.

An album that divides fans: for some, a "normal" or even mediocre album; for others, a masterpiece. I believe it's one of the best of the Italian prog scene, but not a masterpiece. Some songs could perhaps have been shorter, but overall, the sound is very powerful and so intense that this becomes a minor issue.

If you're a fan of Italian progressive rock, you've already listened to it over and over again. If not, pick it up. I definitely recommend it, not with the expectation of a masterpiece, but rather of a great album, at least in my entirely personal opinion.

The Tracks
1. Introduction (15:11)
2. First Meeting (3:27)
3. Second Meeting (3:06)
4. Third Meeting (4:33)
5. Epilogue (11:30)
Duration 37:47

The Line-Up
- Lino Ajello - guitar
- Gianni Leone - vocals, piano, Hammond organ, Moog, Mellotron, spinet, celesta
- Vito Manzari - bass
- Giancarlo Stringa - drums
With:
- Giusy Romeo - backing vocals (1)
- Rosanna Baldassari - backing vocals (1)
- Flavia Baldassari - backing vocals (1)