MeM – FOGLIA DI RUGIADA (DL/ 100 ltd, LP (Maracash Records) (2025)

Just released is the debut album of Mem, led by multi-instrumentalist Antongiulio Moneta aided by Davide Moneta whose sax first appears on second track ‘Foglia di Rugiada’, Before that ‘Pensieri rincorsi nel vento’ is, like all the music displayed on this most enjoyable release, excellently conceived and executed, a dramatic piece with a neat twist half way through to induce a more pensive mood with wistful synth and organ. The symphonic prog of the two-part ‘Asimettrica’ reveals a guitar style instantly identifiable as Mike Oldfield influenced, but this is no mere clone music, it has a vitality and freshness all of its own, the exchanges between piano, sax and guitar are inspiriting as are the mellow sax tones and textured keyboards on ‘Il Respiro imprevedibile dei sogni’. The other influence identified by the protagonists is Celeste whose ‘Principe di un Giorno’ is recognised as one of the finest pastoral prog albums but MeM display more intricacy of composition perhaps. I would respectfully suggest that this record deserves your attention if you wish to recapture the spirit of Mike Oldfield’s wonderful early albums from the angle of the great progressive traditions of Italia.