Banco del Mutuo Soccorso-Io Sono Nato Libero (1973)

Sophisticated instrumental arrangements, bizarre musical elements, brilliant melodies, and creatively well-developed music are what the Italian band Banco del Mutuo Soccorso offered on their third full-length album. "Io Sono Nato Libero", as this third recording is titled, is just as impressive as their debut album and, for many, their masterpiece alongside its predecessor, "Darwin!". An album brimming with magical moments, ranging from the masterful operatic voice of singer Francesco Di Giacomo to the magnificent work with synthesizers and classical piano by brothers Gianni and Vittorio Nocenzi, and including the refined instrumental preludes of Pier Luigi D'Angelo's drums and the subtle guitar chords of Marcello Todaro. Each of the five tracks included on this album is exceptional, starting with the extensive and dynamic opening track "Canto Nomade Per un Prisionero Político", while other cuts such as the majestic progressive "Dopo…Niente e Più lo Stesso", the harmonica "Non Mi Rompete" or the simple with jazzy touches "La Città Sottile", have enough credit to categorize this album as one of the essential works of Italian and European progressive rock.