The worldwide progressive rock community is buzzing with excitement about the third CD release by Italian musician, composer, keyboardist, bass and Champan stick player Cristiano Roversi titled 'AntiQua', featuring guest appearances by Le Orme's Aldo Tagliapietra and PFM's Bernardo Lanzetti, among others! Founding member of the new progressive band Moongarden in 1994, very much a vital entity to this day, Cristiano over the years has explored a variety of musical genres in collaborative projects such as Submarine Silence, Cavalli Cocchi, Lanzetti & Roversi, as well as numerous solo projects, soundtracks and session/production/teaching work. Currently writing and playing keyboards for Mangala Vallis and producing Catafalchi Del Cyber, Cristiano has, in recent years, collaborated with many well known and respected names such as Bernardo Lanzetti, Aldo Tagliapietra, John Wetton, Steve Hackett, David Jackson, Massimo Zamboni, Flaco Biondini, Tryptic, Zef Noise & Mike Ill (ex-Sweet Lizard Illtet), Silvia Orlandi, Angela Baraldi, Leonora, Roberto Tiranti and many others... Now, much to the anticipation of his fans and the music public at large, Cristiano has released a pioneering new album that takes the listener to uncharted sonic landscapes!
Says Cristiano, ?I had wanted to dedicate myself completely to a solo album for some time now, totally free to go where I might, independent of market or stylistic pressures. A proverbial flight of fancy as it were. An album in which I could let my influences shine through without having to prove anything to anyone and one in which I didn't have to crank up the volume. AntiQua is a strange land where time flows at a more natural pace ? I don't really know if it's on our planet, or even if it exists in the past, present or future, near or far... AntiQua manifests when we need it, every time we give in to dreams and forget about the daily grind. It is a goblet of wine in a candlelight tavern. It certainly did me a world of good, a brief trip to a land governed by antique ideals of beauty and harmony. I hope it may accompany the quietest and sweetest moments of your existence as it has mine.?
Cristiano's musical influences run far and wide: ?Anthony Phillips, my master and above all a friend of mine, has taught me a lot about harmony and melody. But I am also influenced by Ennio Morricone, John Williams, Lyle Mays, Steve Hackett and obviously all the English classic prog of the 1970's?
Along with grand piano, synths, Mellotron and Hammond Organ, Cristiano plays 12-string, classical and electric guitar, among other instruments, on his new album. Along with Aldo Tagliapietra and Bernardo Lanzetti, the CD also boasts guest appearances by David Cremoni, Erik Montanari, Fabio Serra, Gigi Cavalli Cocchi, James Larcombe, Leonora and Mirko Tagliasacchi. Says Cristiano, ?The enthusiasm of Bernardo Lanzetti! Like a child lost in toys when they hand him the music that I wrote in my room! And the furious quarrels due to precisely this enthusiasm that sometimes maybe I could not handle all of the energy that this great artist emanated from his ideas and visions. A great achievement writing for him. The peace and serenity that I got from Aldo Tagliapietra and his beautiful daughter Gloria. To see and hear Aldo singing your own song at home is like having the history in your hands that you model your own work of art and makes it grow to the point of becoming a masterpiece.?
In closing Cristiano has this to impart to his fans and listeners, ?Approach this album without any anxiety, and desire to find deep researches in sounds electronics or modern crossover influences. 'AntiQua' is a tribute to the music and artists I love without any fear to sound or appear retro ? so relax and enjoy it!?
Tracks: 1. Morning in AntiQua , 2. Tales From Solitude Suite I) A Silent Rite II) Tales from Solitude III) Crave some Loneliness IV) East or West? , 3. L'amore , 4. Nessie Revealed , 5. Falling I) Falling II) Celestial Slowfall , 6. Dimlit Tavern , 7. Nirayed's Secret Diary , 8. AntiQua , 9. AntiQua's Evening.
Cristiano Roversi - AntiQua CD can be purchased at: http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15507
For more information, visit his home page at:
Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine
