Passio Secundum Mattheum Latte Miele

Passio Secundum Mattheum Latte Miele Pic

Passio Secundum Mattheum Latte Miele Photo

Passio Secundum Mattheum Latte Miele Image

Passio Secundum Mattheum Latte Miele Photo

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8 of 9 humans found the following review helpful.
Another good Italian Prog release
By bruceski
As I explore Italian progressive rock of the 1970s, one thing becomes clear; there was a outstanding deal of depth in this scene. Latte E Miele’s debut release in another fine example of the music being generated in Italy at the time. On this one, the songs are in general in the 2:00 to 4:00 minute range and the ideas change somewhat rapidly. For moments there is a little choir, then jazzy sounding piano breaks, next Emerson-like church organ (think The Three Fates), this might be followed by a brief spoken division and then numerous “chunky” guitar chords. While it sounds fragemented, it actually flows together reasonably well. At the time this was recorded Latte E Meile was a trio, and they play more as a combo than as individuals. Supposedly the overall theme has to do with religion, but, since I don’t speak italian, you couldn’t prove it by me.

To Simon, I have read a great deal of of your reviews (in fact I wish they were all together someplace as I in general find them randomly in exploring) and normally find them very perceptive and useful, but, I genuinely think you missed the boat on this one. The music is somewhat innocent and derivative of other roots (and consequently not as mature as a lot of of the better known Italian prog bands), but it is put together nicely with a lot of variety. There aren’t numerous vocals other than the choir, which I find pleasant.

Overall, another good listen from Italy.

3 of 3 persons found the following review helpful.
Yet another album of magnificent Italian Prog Rock
By Jeffrey J.Park
I am beginning to think that the Italian prog scene may genuinely be infinite. There is surely no shortage of unbelievable albums, and this great 1972 release is no exception. Passio Secundum Mattheum is a conception album of a religious nature that revolves around 12 pieces that range in length from 0’43″ to 7’04″. The original album is roughly 35’00″ in length, and the mediocre, poppy bonus track from 1974 (track 13 – Mese di Maggio) brings the CD up to just beneath 40 minutes. The CD was remastered in 1994 and the sound quality is excellent. With regard to the music, it is of the ordinary of excellency that I have come to associate with Italian prog – brilliant and haunting melodies/harmonies, superior musicianship by magnificent drummer Alfio, guitarist Marcello (bass guitar, acoustic and electric 6 string guitar (sometimes to a considerable degree distorted), and classical guitar), and keyboardist Oliver (pipe organ, celeste, Hammond organ and acoustic piano, mellotron, mini-moog, and solina string synthesizer). This recording is largely instrumental but there is galore spoken dialog and very good vocal constituents by the band members. In addition to the band vocalists, there are a good deal of brief operatic “choir” elements by a baritone, (two?) sopranos, and an alto (I think). With respect to outside influences, I Testimoni (parts 1 and 2) seems to be largely based upon the jam section of Traffic’s lengthy piece Low Spark of High Heeled Boys (1971), while the introduction to Il Calvario comprises of an unaccompanied pipe organ solo that sounds a great deal like Keith Emerson’s pipe organ solo on Clotho from The Three Fates (ELP, 1970). Although this album is excellent, I have two very minor complaints including (1) the abrupt ending on track 4 (Getzemani) – not sure if it was intentional, or an error that occurred for the duration of the 1994 transcription; and (2) the odd track Guida, which ranges from death metal, to lounge jazz, then back into magnificent prog. Fortunately, Guida is only 0’43 in length so it is not altogether disruptive and does not affect the overall quality of the album. All in all, this in truth is a great recording and is surely right up there with the great prog albums from Italy. Recommended.

5 of 6 humans found the following review helpful.
Music with passion
By Conrad Leviston
Attempting to break free of the established constraints of pop music (verse – chorus – bridge etc.) some progressive groups started experimenting with classical musical forms. Latte e Miele are, however, the only group that I am conscious of who have tried to tell the Matthew Passion in the same way that Bach did.

The music doesn’t overtly borrow from Bach, but this is distinctly done in the same spirit, with passages tardily building up to strong, powerful crescendos. The songs are in general shortish in length, but run one into the other giving a strong feel of continuity.

It always amazes me how much power a three piece band may get, and Latte e Miele surely deliver with all the flair perculiar to the Italian prog bands. While not rather in the league of the very best Italian albums, this surely has it is moments with a couple of strong riffs and good musicianship all around. A will have to have for those starting to delve deeper into the wonders of Italian prog.

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