Blink

Following the demise of Osanna prior to their 1974 release, Landscape Of Life, Elio D'Anna and Danilo Rustici formed Uno. Originally slated with Napoletano Toni Esposito on drums, the pair ventured to London to record an eponymous album, Uno, with drummer Enzo Vallicelli. Yet the group did not last, even with Rustici's brother Corrado, previously a member of Cervello, augmenting on guitar. So D'Anna and the Rustici brothers returned to London and under the auspices of Pete Townshend, producer Rupert Hine and Arista Records, formed Nova. Two Italian musicians, Luciano Milanese (a member of I Trolls, the precursor to New Trolls) and Franco "Dede" Lo Previte (from Circus 2000), comprised the rhythm section. Produced by D'Anna and Danilo, it's easy to hear where the keyboard-less Blink got its start: The Osanna/Uno connection is indeed true. "Taylor Made" immediately reveals some high-energy fusion and vocals-in fact, that's the most amazing thing about the album-Nova is one of the few groups to combine instrumental fusion with vocals successfully, perhaps because Corrado's voice is so well-suited for the music. Once the 12-string electric guitar kicks in on "Something Inside Keeps You Down," the track locks onto a tight groove under a fidgety rhythm section, with D'Anna providing the lead instrument. "Nova," an instrumental track of more typical fusion, features a dual guitar assault from the brothers Rustici, with D'Anna's sax often soaring in unison. Nova then offers a little soul groove on "Used to Be Easy," while another instrumental, "Toy," gets funky. However, the band saves the best for last: "Stroll On" stands as a prime example of the group's hyperkinetic fusion. Corrado supplies the angst-ridden vocal, a fine fit for the track's aggression, while both Rusticis deliver incendiary guitar solos. The album owes more than a nod to the type of music Mahavishnu Orchestra pioneered; but it remains one of the most electric and frenetic fusion albums ever produced.