banco

The classic 1975 album that introduced Italian prog rock band Banco to the world! After the success of Italys P.F.M., Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Manticore Records began paying a little more attention to the Italian prog scene. This attention soon paid off in the form of another fine Italian band for their roster called Banco del Mutuo Soccorso (soon shortened to Banco), led by the charismatic frontman Francesco Di Giacomo (who interestingly also appeared in Fellinis Satyricon and Amarcord), and the dualing keyboards of the Nocenzi brothers, Vittorio and Gianni. Although this album is the first anyone had ever heard of Banco outside of Italy, it was actually the bands fourth release. To help their new non-Italian fan base get up to speed however, Banco decided to re-record (with English lyrics) some of their best earlier material, alongside a few new tracks as well. The resulting album was a triumph for prog rock, Italian or otherwise.