Arbeit Macht Frei Audio CD – CD, June 17, 2014

Bizarre Frog Rock with great improvisation.

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Area's 1973 debut album Arbeit Macht Frei (German for "Work Makes You Free" as seen at the entrance to Auschwitz) is simply one of the finest debut albums you'll ever hear! Many other prog rock bands had to release a couple albums to get it right, like Yes or Genesis, but Area succeeded the first time, and with flying colors! I don't know the musical backgrounds to the band members, aside from Demetrio Stratos, who was in a beat band called I Ribelli in the 1960s (of little interest to prog fans, as they were basically a beat pop band that did their share of originals and covers of other people's songs), so at least I know Stratos was no stranger to music when Area formed. Arbeit Macht Frei is simply one of the most amazing fusion/prog albums you'll ever hear, and despite their controversial political views (openly communist), the music is so good you wouldn't need to be worried one bit about their politics (Robert Wyatt and Henry Cow were also communists and made great music that would appeal to anyone into that kind of music even to those who aren't political, disagree with their politics, or feel politics and music shouldn't mix - I myself, pretty much stay out of politics).Arbeit Macht Frei was the very first release on the Cramps label and early pressings came with a gun insert. Area featured some truly unique and demented vocals from Demetrio Stratos (he also provided some Hammond organ and steel drums, but never played in a Caribbean manner), and some fantastic bass work from Jan Patrick Djivas (who would jump ship for PFM after this album, certainly not hurting his career). Also you have keyboardist Patrizio Fariselli who gives us some great use piano and electric piano (Guitarist Gianpaolo Tofani was credited to VCS-3, I swear I hear some ARP too, but none credited, but it sounded like the band had a keyboard attached to the VCS-3, as the VCS-3 synth does not come along with a keyboard, the keyboard is simply an option sold separately. Tofani tended to use the VCS-3 for regular synth solos, as well as the sound effects the synth is so well known for). These guys were no slouches and each piece is quite intense and the band doesn't let up. The album starts off with "Luglio, Agosto, Settembre (Nero)" with some spoken Arabic, apparently taken from a recording in Cairo (I'm certain Demetrio Stratos could understand the recitation, as he was born in Egypt, although he was Greek), before Stratos provides his great vocal works. Some Middle Eastern influecnes appear in the music, in between the synth work and the wind instruments (I notice sax and clarinet used on this album, I believe it was Victor Edouard Busnello). The title track starts off with a drum solo and some bass, before the music kicks in. Once again, the intensity simply doesn't let up, and Demetrio Stratos has proven to me he is simply one of the great vocalists in prog. "Consapevolezza" finds the band moving into ELP territory, the organ work is unmistakably Emerson-influenced, but once again, you get treated with Stratos' great voice. "L'Abbattimento Dello Zeppelin" shows a more experimental end of the band, with strange synth effects, the use of bass clarinet, and some intense jamming before some really twisted passges from Demetrio himself. This is truly a five star album, it really deserves it, for one thing there are no bad cuts on this album. Great vocals, great playing, and great production certainly helps big times (many of you ran across great prog albums with iffy vocals, as in the case of PFM singing in English, or iffy production, the case of the first two Banco albums or Museo Rosenbach's Zarathustra, but that's not the case of Area). There is no getting around this is a great place to start. And if you can't get enough, get Caution: Radiation Area, Crac!, and Maledetti without hesitation. Arbeit Macht Frei and those other albums mentioned get my highest recommendation!

Back in 1973, _Arbeit Macht Frei_ was the world's first taste of Area - the first taste of their incredible instrumental chops, radical political messages, unique songwriting, and exuberant style. Bringing together the most talented vocalist I've ever heard with four jaw-dropping musicians, Area is a band that blows the mind with their creativity and inimitable aesthetic.If Area was going to be the listener's cup of tea, they would know quite quickly in playing the first song, "Luglio, Agosto, Settembre". A woman's spoken introduction breaks into Demetrio Stratos' puffy vocals, then the band kicks in with their emblematically complex jazzy interplay, spiraling and twisting melodically with a Mediterranean motif. During the solo section, guitars and keyboards and saxophones spin into free-jazz territory that manages to sound more logical than it does random.Clearly, the "International POPular Group" suffix is a misnomer. Area was in fact a feisty jazz-rock band that integrated a wide range of styles that ran the gamut of Mediterranean folk (opening track), avant-garde ("L'abbattimento dello Zepellin"), and some progressive rock circulating Italy at the time ("Consapevolezza", "Le labbra del tempo"). Make no mistake, however - while Area is mentioned (and sometimes revered) in prog circles, they are certainly more of a fusion group than anything else...at least at this point. This is also the only Area album to feature a saxophonist as part of the main lineup, which is no small part of what contributes to its feel of being the jazziest of their albums.The most peculiar member of Area was the inhuman vocalist Demetrio Stratos. With a vocal range reputedly measured at close to the human limit and unrivaled technique, Stratos' singing style must be heard to be appreciated. I've never heard anyone use their voice the way he does -- often vocalizing abstruse sounds as often as singing the lyrics, his style set him apart from anyone at the time. The best description I've heard for him is "a mix between Elvis and Tarzan," but that's only a fraction of what he offers. (And if you think he's wild on this album, it only gets better later on.) Even now, many decades after his death, no one comes close to emulating what he did. (Deus Ex Machina's Alberto Piras is obviously influenced by Stratos' approach to melody, although they are quite different.)While Stratos was utterly unique and part of my initial draw to Area, it must not be understated that the entire band is incredibly talented and their collective synergy magical. Giulio Capiozzo (drums), Yan Patrick Erard Djivas (bass, this album only), Gianpaolo Tofani (guitar), and Patrizio Fariselli (keyboards). If you're looking for one of the best jazz-rock lineups you've never heard, this will be a good one.Area had quite a diverse career. I recommend all their albums: _Arbeit Macht Frei (their jazziest), _Caution Radiation_ (their most avant-garde), _Crac!_ (their most accessible and exuberant), and _Maledetti_ (a bit of everything), Gli Dei Se Ne Vanno (more fun fusion but without a guitar player).AREA!