cincinnato - 1974 (full album)

The odd story of Cincinnato was not unusual in the confusion of the early 70's italian musical scene: signed to a major label, PDU, this group of unknown and little experienced musicians had the chance of releasing an album and then disappeared.

The group was from near Varese, and had previously played since 1970 as Eros Natura, but the record company suggested a change of name, and Cincinnato came out in 1972.
Their label PDU is remembered by italian collectors because of their distribution of german cosmic classics like the ones on Ohr and Kosmische Kuriere labels, and this was (along with Logan Dwight's sole album) one of their very limited ventures into prog territory.

The album was recorded in just three days, in a single take; side A includes three instrumental tracks that can easily described as jazz-rock or in some cases simply jazz (as in Esperanto), built on piano and with good guitar playing by Gianni Fantuzzi. Side B contains a long track, L'ebete, more than 20 minutes long, with a good vocal beginning (vocals are uncredited on the cover, the voice was by keyboardist Urbanelli), that evolves in a jazz-influenced instrumental part but doesn't lose its prog influences.

A disjointed album that contains good playing and that nice long track, but unfortunately very difficult to find, having never been reissued.

The group split in 1973 when Urbanelli and Vanetti quit; the only member having had some success is drummer Donato Scolese, who played with Franco Battiato in the 80's and then returned to the jazz club circuit.

Line-up / Musicians

- Gianni Fantuzzi / guitar, vocals
- Donato Scolese / drums
- Giacomo Urbanelli / keyboards
- Annibale Vanetti / bass

http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=1646