Albero Motore - Il Grande Gioco (Reissue) (1974/2008)

A Rome-based, five-piece band, ALBERO MOTORE got together in the early Seventies. Their name means "drive shaft" in Italian. They were discovered by the singer and guitarist Ricky Gianco, who produced their first and only album, "Il grande gioco" (released in 1974), and he also wrote the lyrics to all the songs. He then helped them obtain a recording deal with his new label Intingo (which specialised in Italian folk music) when their original label, Car Juke Box, closed down. The following year, Albero Motore released a single by the title "Messico lontano", then disbanded.

From a musical point of view, the album has few real connections with progressive rock, sounding more like one of the numerous rock-influenced albums by Italian singers-songwriters (cantautori) which were popular at the time. The vocal parts, sung by Maurizio Rota's strong, gutsy voice (often compared to Joe Cocker's) are very much in evidence; while the overall sound of the band is more influenced by American-style, blues-based classic rock than by symphonic prog. Among the eight tracks included in "Il grande gioco", particular mention should be made of "Israele", which addresses the plight of the Palestinian people with the sensitivity typical of many Italian '70s bands towards political issues.

After the band's end, most of the individual members have continued their career in the Italian music world. Guitarist Fernando Fera is an established sessionman and composer of soundtracks; while lead vocalist Marcello Rota still performs in the Rome area, both as a solo singer and as member of a Beatles tribute band. Drummer Marcello Vento is a teacher and jazz musician.