snobb
Vocalist/voice artist Claudio Milano is a stand-alone figure on the Italian music scene. A singer with wide-range operatic vocals, Claudio works on a fragile soil mixing classical music, free improvisation, Italian tradition and progressive rock aesthetics. Knowing Claudio almost for two decades, I still can't stop wondering about his ability to disappear for years and then return on the scene as a Phenix back again.
Newest Claudio release - double-CD album "ManifestAzioni live 2011-2023" contains previously unreleased live music from the last twelve years, recorded by Claudio's different projects and collaborations.
The double set opens with very eloquent music - true rock song, recorded by legendary Rock Progressivo Italiano band Area descendants, Area Open Project, with Claudio responsible for the vocals. In the early 70s, Area was a very popular band led by Greek-Egyptian vocalist Demetrio Stratos, renown by his theatrical vocals and unusual voice improvisations. Claudio obviously pays respect to Stratos, one of his big influences. An excellent piece for fans of progressive rock with original Area bassist Ares Tavolazzi on board.
Six set's tracks come from I Sincopatici - Milanese keys/bass/drums trio, accompanying Claudio singing the songs based on Dante Alighieri's poetry. Six more tracks are recorded with "border music" band Strepitz, with feel-able folklore influences and rock arrangements (Area's original guitarist Paolo Tofani's three-necks guitar soloing on "Aghe Aghe benedete" is impressive).
There are pieces on this set coming from some of Milano's own projects from the previous decade (multimedia NichelOdeon and duo with sounds artist Marco Tuppo InSonar) as well.
Second set's disc opens with a vocal-only composition, based on controversial Bulgarian author Nikolay Rainov (who studied Theology in Russia) "Il Diavolo Creatore". "Pan’s Pot" is a duet with voice artist Arrington De Dionyso and "SenseNonSex" is a vocal duet with Giulia Zaniboni.
Being of very eclectic origin, this album's material fits together quite well, especially on CD 1. With great recording quality considering its a collection of different periods archival recordings, and feel-able Italian progressive rock tradition, this release is probably a bit more framed than many of Claudio's previous works. Those already familiar with Claudio Milano's art will no doubt enjoy this, and probably it will attract some new listeners as well.