on the road to ys

On the Road to Ys brings together three rare recordings from different stages in the history of Il Balletto di Bronzo. At its centre are two remarkable 1971 demos that document the group developing the dark, complex musical language later heard on their celebrated second album, Ys.

“Introduzione” and “Secondo incontro” were recorded at the Phonogram studios in Milan before the completion of Ys. Sung in English and featuring arrangements that differ considerably from the familiar 1972 versions, these recordings reveal the compositions in an earlier and more exploratory form.

The demos already contain the qualities that made Il Balletto di Bronzo one of the most distinctive groups in Italian progressive rock. Gianni Leone's powerful keyboards and dramatic vocals are joined by Lino Ajello's guitar, Vito Manzari's bass and Gianchi Stinga's drums, creating a dense mixture of classical influence, psychedelic intensity and rapidly shifting rhythmic ideas.

The extended “Introduzione” occupies the whole first side, moving through ominous keyboard themes, aggressive ensemble passages and more reflective sections. “Secondo incontro” continues the journey in a shorter but equally intricate performance, offering a fascinating comparison with the arrangement eventually released on Ys.

The album concludes with a previously unreleased live performance of “La tua casa comoda,” recorded at the Teatro Fru Fru in Mexico City in 2006. Originally issued as a single in 1973, the composition combines Gianni Leone's theatrical keyboard style with the force and spontaneity of the later live incarnation of the band.

Track listing:

Side A

1. Introduzione – 11:37

Side B

1. Secondo incontro – 3:41
2. La tua casa comoda – 3:56