FILE UNDER: RARE ITALIAN LIBRARY BARCODE: CD: 8018344029412 / LP: 8018344129419
ZALLA (PIERO UMILIANI) - SUSPENSE label: SCHEMA (SCEB-941)

 

 

Tracklist

01 Paura sul fondo play button
02 Insonnia play button
03 Fascia di tensione play button
04 Flauto in suspense play button
05 Col fiato sospeso play button
06 Ambiguo play button
07 Suspense notturna play button
08 Dietro le sbarre play button
09 Rimorsi
10 Inchiesta
11 Killer
12 Monotony
13 Suspense angosciosa
14 Inquieto
15 Giallo
16 Suspense atomica
17 Evasione notturna

Among all the aliases used by the great Piero Umiliani, M. Zalla is perhaps his most rich
and surprisingly multifarious: mainly used to produce experimental records that had little
commercial appeal, this ‘nom de plume’ (along with Moggi) is tied to memorable episodes
of his career, releases such as “Problemi d’oggi” (literally “Today’s Problems”), “Mondo
inquieto” (i.e. “An Unsettling World”), and also “Suspense”, now reissued by Schema Records.
And if titles such as those mentioned above may somehow disguise the musical content
(electronic music, by the way), “Suspense” perfectly anticipates what you will hear in its
seventeen songs. A full-black front cover, the title written with yellow coloured typeface (it
couldn’t be any different) for an album that promises tension, gloomy atmospheres, mystery
and, needless to say, suspense elements that convey anxiety and distress. Thanks to the
clever use of Moog and keyboards, combined with magnificent orchestral arrangements,
the tracks rapidly flow one after another in a crescendo that leaves you breathless, to cite
the title of one of the best tracks.
And, speaking about the titles of the tracks, what better way to introduce this reissue to the
public other than quoting “Suspense notturna”, “Paura sul fondo”, “Killer”, “Inquieto”, “Suspense
angosciosa”, “Evasione notturna” and my favourite one, “Suspense atomica”. A treat
for your ears, and another fundamental piece to reconstruct the story of a Master of Italian
music. Lean back in your chair and turn off the light...