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Alberto Rigoni

Songs for Souls

Review by Gary Hill

Alberto Rigoni is a bass player. In terms of playing music, that was always my first and most prominent instrument, too. There is a wide range of sound on this instrumental release. One constant is quality and charm. I previously reviewed another set from Rigoni, and as strong as that one was, this might be the better release of the two. Like that one, this includes a number of guests.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2022  Volume 2. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2022.

Track by Track Review
The Miracle
There is a percussive, clangy sort of vibe as this starts. Bass textures bring a classy sort of moody sound to it. I'm reminded a little of Pink Floyd in some ways.
L'Origin du Monde (ft. Jordan Rudess and Mark Zonder)
That Floyd thing seems present as this starts, too. The cut quickly turns in different directions. It gets more pure prog oriented with hints of fusion in the mix. I really love the keyboards on this thing. The piano solo later in the track brings some definite classical influence.
Youth (ft. Jennifer Batten and M. Zonder)
There is more of a guitar hero edge to this stomper. The cut has some killer bass grooves and is energetic and entertaining. There is some scorching guitar soloing in the closing movement.
Talking with My Demons (ft. Alessandro Bertoni and M. Zonder)
With a dramatic opening texture, this works out to a killer piano dominated fusion-styled jam from there. It's packed full of cool twists and turns and makes me think of the band UK to some degree.
Suddenly (ft. A. Bertoni and M. Zonder)
I love the cool prog meets fusion vibe of this cut. The track has some intriguing shifts and changes and some tasty spacey stuff.
The Battle (ft. Tommaso Ermolli and M. Zonder)
This cut grows steadily and gradually. It has some smoking hot guitar work. It also has a great dynamic range, with mellower movements and the more rocking ones. I love the section with piano over martial percussion. The piano drops away and leaves just that percussion to end the track.
Silence
A bass note rings up and gradually fades. It comes again, and fades once more. Then it gets more insistent and starts working forward. There are other layers of sound in the mix as the track evolves. This piece, essentially a bass solo, has some really dramatic moments.
Keep on Fighting (ft. Edoardo Taddei, M. Zonder)
This fires out of the gate with fierce guitar dominated fusion that has elements of heavy metal. It's a real powerhouse stomper. It is the hardest rocking thing here.
Peaceful Acceptance (ft. T. Ermolli)
Piano starts this in a mellow and almost playful mode that's a sharp contrast to the intensity of the previous number. It eventually starts building outward from there with a lot of proggy style and charm. There is a classical music edge to this track that serves as a bit of a respite.
Souls Never Die (ft. Marco Sfogli, Fabrizio Leo, A. Bertoni, M. Zonder)
Here we get another driving fusion number. This is a particularly potent number with some killer twists and turns. It has more of that guitar hero sound and is another of the rocking tunes here. This is quite an effective number and a great closer.
 
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