Nova-Blink (1975)

Fondly remembered by European fans of 1970s progressive jazz-rock, Nova was an Italian band formed by members of other Italian groups such as Osanna and Cervello. These included guitarists Corrado and Danilo Rustici, who, along with saxophonist Elio D'Anna, formed the band in London in the mid-seventies. Between 1975 and 1978, they released four superb albums focused on expansive, jazz-oriented progressive improvisations. Given the instrumental prowess of its members and their growing reputation, they soon secured a deal with Arista Records to finance their debut album, released in 1975 under the title "Blink". This first release featured, in addition to Rustici and D'Anna, bassist Luciano Milanese, drummer Franco Lo Previte, and Morris Pert, percussionist for Brand X. Composed of an eclectic fusion of styles ranging from jazz rock to sumptuous funk rhythms and intense blues rock, all underpinned by grand instrumental passages. From the powerful jazz rock with a blues undercurrent of "Tailor Made", to solid exercises in classic and heavy rock such as "Something Inside Keeps You Down", spirited jazz fusion with funky rhythms like "Nova" and "Toy", and dizzying blues rock like "Stroll On", this album, while lacking the consistency of their later releases, showcases the diverse guitar styles of its two leaders and the driving force of the rhythm section. These elements, combined with creative musical lines, make Nova's debut album a truly remarkable listening experience of high-level progressive jazz rock.

Nova-Wings Of Love (1977)

Italy has historically been the birthplace of elegant rock bands, the vast majority oriented towards symphonic, progressive, and jazz styles, many of which maintained their continued appeal to fans worldwide with their refined releases. In the mid-70s, there was a long list of these bands based in London, and one of them was UNO, formed by brothers Corrado and Danilo Rustici, both guitarists who, along with saxophonist Elio D'Anna, decided to rename the band Nova, recruiting bassist Luciano Milanese and drummer Franco Lo Previte. In 1976, under the Arista label, they released their first album, "Blink", a commendable work that, while not entirely defined, showcased a jazz-rock style with extended improvisations and rich guitar interplay and a sumptuous saxophone. Near the end of that same year, "Vimana" became their second full-length album, a more mature work where the band focused more on composition than on the individual instrumental work of its members. From this point on, the band underwent several lineup changes, with keyboardist Renato Rosset, drummer Ric Parnell, and bassist Barry Johnson joining, replacing Danilo Rustici, Lo Previte, and Milanese, respectively. With this lineup, the band recorded and released their most successful and magnum opus, "Wings of Love", which is characterized by a shift in musical direction, leaning more towards jazz funk, due in part to bassist Johnson's funky style. This album boasts exquisite musicianship, courtesy of the impeccable technical skills of all the band members, offering a repertoire of agile and dynamic, yet refined, jazz rock. Tracks like the dynamic funk-rock "You Are Light" stand out as one of their most creative moments, with silky harmonies and a contagious, catchy rhythm. The jazz fusion "Marshall Dillion" showcases Nova's energetic side, while the dreamy "Blue Lake" is the album's most intense moment. "Beauty Dream / Beauty Flame" features a gentle melody that blends delicate acoustic touches with reflective, exotic sounds. The rest of the album follows a similar path, with the frenetic funk of "Golden Sky Boat", the exhilarating jazz with Latin echoes of "Inner Star", and the elegant "Last Silence". "Sun City", their fourth album, released the following year, returned to a jazz-funk style, but one that leaned towards a more conventional and predictable jazz sound. Shortly after this final release, the band definitively disbanded, leaving behind four albums brimming with tension, energy, and technical brilliance, all considered seminal works within the European jazz-rock genre.