NOVA BLINK 1976 ITALIAN PROG JAZZ ROCK MONSTER RARE LP

	£		44
	$		58

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NOVA ‘BLINK’ 1976 JAZZ PROG ROCK MONSTER VINYL LP RARITY

Sleeve Condition: some sticker glue residue, not sleeve tears, and light ringwear, inevitable with a black, unlaminated sleeve.  Otherwise, Ex+.

Record Condition:  The record looks unplayed and is entirely unblemished.  There are no handling marks or any evidence of spindle marks around the hole in the label.  On that basis it seems to be in Mint condition.  However, there are two very quiet passages, one at the beginning of Side B and one in the middle of Side A.  At these points there is some vinyl crackle.  I can only put it down to poor quality vinyl, this being the era which began the woeful practice of recyclying remaindered and unsold LPs to manufacture new ones.  It does not seem apparent elsewhere on the record and nowhere does it really interfere with the music.  There is clearly no groove damage and the record is as clean as the day it was pressed.  At no time, anywhere on the record is there any distortion or tracking problems affecting the music and in fact, many listeners may be unaware of any problems, depending on the quality of equipment.  Mine is top end, recent spec Linn.   I very much doubt that the successful bidder will be disappointed but please bear this in mind when bidding.

Initially named Uno, the band was created in London in the mid-70's by ex-members of Cervello and Osanna, namely guitarist Corrado Rustici, guitarist Danilo Rustici and sax & flute player Elio D'Anna.

The roster of permanent and guest musicians spread over their four albums is impressive: Morris Pert, Phil Collins, Ric Parnell (Ibis, Atomic Rooster), Narada Michael Walden (Mahavishna Orchestra, Santana) and Franco Lo Previte (Circus 2000, Duello Madre) and that only covers the drums & percussion department. Other contributors include keyboard player Renato Rosset, classical conga virtuoso Zakir Hussain and three bassists: Percy Jones, Barry Johnson (Lenny White's band Twennynine) and Luciano Milanese.

'Blink', is debut album and their first of four LPs released between 1976 and 1978. It offers lengthy jams with sumptuous guitar/sax dialogues.

A logical precursor to Brand X, Nova is an Italian fusion band that features the mind-numbing bass and drum interplay similar to that of Brand X, but follows through with guitar, sax and vocals as well. Vocals are in English, and unlike many Italian bands that use English vocals, the singing does not detract from the overall quality of the music, in fact it enhances it in a way that Julie Driscoll enhances Brian Auger’s somewhat relentless, jazz rock style.

Nova has four lead instruments: The guitars, sax, bass and drums all play lead-styled lines, at the same time, for the most part. The overall product is a very complex jam with occasional vocals. Any fan of Brand X, Mahavishna Orchestra or Return to Forever will find this fascinating listening.

Frankly, it is fantastic - another long lost Italian classic. 'Blink' is a completely amazing album full of technical complexities on the level of Zappa's best. Nova recorded three more albums, but 'Blink' stands on its own. It consists of six tracks, all divided into two parts, all giving high-energy and an enthralling jazz-rock experience. The four sung tracks are in very good English but really this is a minor aspect as all five musos are dishing out impressive 100 mile an hour jazz fusion with impressive technical abilities.  How did the record buying public miss this one first time round?  Simply stunning stuff!

Studio Album, released in 1976

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Tailor made - Part 1 & Part 2 (5:09)
2. Something inside keeps you down - Part 1 & Part 2 (6:11)
3. Nova - Part 1 & Part 2 (7:10)
4. Used to be easy - Part 1 & Part 2 (5:12)
5. Toy - Part 1 & Part 2 (4:21)
6. Stroll on - Part 1 & Part 2 (10:33)

Total Time: 38:36

Line-up / Musicians

- Elio D'Anna / alto (2-3-6), soprano (1-3-4) & tenor (5-6) saxes, flute (2)
- Franco Loprevite / drums
- Luciano Milanese / bass
- Corrado Rustici / lead vocals (1-2-4-6), acoustic (2) & electric guitars
- Danilo Rustici / electric guitar
+ Morris Pert / percussion

Releases information

LP Ariston (AR/LP 12300) 1976

I am currently listing or am in the process of preparing to list in the coming weeks and months, several thousand Japanese, Krautrock, Dutch and Norwegian and UK prog rock  in.  I will also shortly  be listing an extensive collection of Metal, Hair Metal, Heavy Metal and NWOBHM.  If any of this is your bag, keep an eye on my site.

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