Area-Arbeit Macht Frei (1973)

While not achieving the commercial and media success of their compatriots Premiata Forneria Marconi or Banco del Mutuo Soccorso, Area is one of the most challenging and unusual bands in Italian avant-garde rock. Their golden age spanned from 1973 to 1980, years in which they released six excellent albums, all highly regarded among fans of experimental progressive rock. Formed in 1971 by Demetrio Stratos (vocals and organ), Gianpaolo Tofani (guitar and synthesizer), Patrizio Fariselli (keyboards), Victor Edouard Busnello (wind instruments), Patrick Djivas (bass), and Giulio Capiozzo (drums), this Italian group released their first album, "Arbeit Macht Frei", in 1973. This unique record, while not adhering to a single genre, perfectly blends the sounds of jazz, rock, world music, progressive rock, and psychedelia. A dynamic album that keeps the listener on the edge of their seat for almost 40 minutes, from the wacky free jazz "Luglio, Agosto, Settembre (Nero)" to the experimental jazz funk rock "Arbeit Macht Frei", passing through the avant-garde fusión "Consapevolezza", the progressive "Le Labbra del Tempo" or the experimental tour de force "240 Chilometri Da Smirne", which makes this album one of the most restless and adventurous of the entire progressive scene that emerged in Italy in the 70s.