Astrolabio is an album of 2 sidelong, 20 min.+ tracks. If anyone has ever wondered what Hendrix might have sounded like if he joined a progressive rock band, this is the album for you! With Fossati's wailing space blues, tortured 'dog whistle' soloing, and psych jams this should go over big with the disciples of Jimi or Robin Trower. In fact, the first opus 'Madre De Cose Perdute' is very reminiscent of things like Hendrix '1983' or Procol Harum's 'Song For A Dreamer'. It also blends in a ponderous, early Pink Floyd tempo and vibe. And there is some wonderful, soaring Mellotron and trippy synthesizer more typical of the Italian 70's prog school. There are some vocals on the track which are also very standard for the Italian groups of this genre. But it's mostly an intrumental, atmospheric, multi-movement space jam - with the lead guitar as the dominant instrument. Never boring and sometimes quite grandiose. A musical trip well worth taking. Side 2 consists of 'Sette', which is a live recording. Fossati really steps out on this one and the Hendrix-isms rain down like hail. Even the vocal style (all lyrics in Italian) is very close to the Jimi Hendrix Experience or Band Of Gypsys. But Garybaldi are no mere copyists. Bambi's searing guitar leads are punctuated by some majestic organ in the classical symphonic tradition, and they also incorporate more of that Pink Floyd space rock style. The keyboardist is allowed his own feature spot towards the end of the track where he can indulge his Keith Emerson whims. The track closes with the well known musical theme from Frère Jacques. Another colorful, extended instrumental space jam that skillfully fuses blues, hard rock, psych and progressive rock
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