Freakbeat, Italo-Style

Le Orme - Ad Gloriam (1968)

My knowledge of Italian prog rock isn't particularly extensive. I wish it was. Someday it will be. I thought that I'd start at the beginning. This is Le Orme's first album. Here they are a five piece and still a few years away from the pared-down trio that would make more ELP-inspired records later on. I found the repressing at this record store in North Beach. While I bought it, the guy working the counter was giving somebody a lesson in how to buy Steve Miller records. I didn't think that kind of thing was necessary. Aren't people born with that sort of knowledge? At any rate, this isn't actually a prog record - it's more on the freakbeat side of things. Ad Gloriam came out in 1968 and the thing is just bursting with all the possibilities that LSD and the Beatles seemed to provide. Don't forget that cover, either - it's basically stunning. It sounds awesome, too. So colorful and alive. Dig it.
I Mici Sogni
Ad Gloriam