Celeste is a project devised by Ciro Perrino, an Italian musician and composer. The project has a deep backstory, making an impact with their only official album in 1972. That prog rock essential, the mellotron, was a key part of their sound then, and it remains present now. Perrino has said Celeste’s current revival is intended to remain in keeping with those roots established over fifty years ago. What was that intention? To lead the listener on a process of inner exploration, experimenting with electronic, classical and Baroque music, directing orchestras, and bearing a message of well-being and inner peace, to paraphrase his Bandcamp biography.
Working with a range of musicians, Perrino notes his compositions onto sheet music and then leaves his co-musicians alone to interpret his notations, building on a foundation laid by drum and bass. He defines Celeste as: “New Organic Symphonic Mediterranean music on the acoustic, classic side of the musical spectrum”.
High ambitions, then, both for the music itself and the way the listener will feel afterwards. Is Anima Amimus able to lift the weight of those ambitions?
Sadly, no. I’m left with a feeling that the philosophy and purpose of the project have deeper roots than the music. There’s nothing wrong with it, except the melodies rarely rise above pleasant. Anima Animus sounds like a ‘new age’ album; intended to be calm and meditative, it’s just interesting enough to draw the attention back from drifting until we realise there’s not much happening again. The sleeve design suggests a prog metal album, and this was never intended to be that.
The title track is a case in point and does its job in setting the mood for the entire album. Long mellotron notes set a quietly reflective mood for the first minute before drums crash in and a simple, childlike melody establishes itself. Think of the 70s supergroup Sky (it included classical guitarist John Williams and bassist extraordinaire Herbie Flowers), who were the popular face of prog for a while – only less interesting. The highlight of this and other tracks is the sax playing of Marco Moro, who also plays flute throughout the album, so it goes a long way towards setting the mood. At best, the sax solos echo Mel Collins’ work for Pink Floyd, and the flute sometimes sounds like Thijs van Leer in Focus, without reaching those heights.
There is variation at times. Roots And Leaves opens like mid-period King Crimson without the complexity of Robert Fripp’s guitar. Yet the ambition of the opening soon gives way to another simple melody and arrangement. The track is driven by Marzio Marossa’s drumming, which is a highlight throughout the album.
Lilith introduces a new element with scat vocals by Elisa Montaldo. This is a heavier piece, putting me in mind of Mike Oldfield’s Five Miles Out album. The added grit makes this a track I’ll return to.
The album ends with the twelve-minute Moon And Cloud Dancing. More than any of the others, this is the track that sets out to be atmospheric and tell a story through the interplay of the instruments. As a long closing album track, it doesn’t quite succeed in that intention, but it’s possible the arrangement would work well as the score of an animation; it needs the visual element it evokes to achieve lift-off.
Anima Animus is not a bad album. In the right environment, music that is played with no preconceptions would be enjoyable, if lacking in variety.
TRACK LISTING
01. Anima Animus (8:40)
02. Roots And Leaves (5:40)
03. Cosmic Carnival (6:59)
04. De Rerum Natura (9:03)
05. Lilith (6:32)
06. El Mundo Perdido (6:44)
07. Secret Crime (6:25)
08. Moon And Cloud Dancing (12:01)
Total Time – 62:04
MUSICIANS
Ciro Perrino – Mellotron, Eminent, Solina, Oberheim OBa, Minimoog, ARP 2600, EMS AKS, Percussion
Enzo Cioffi – Drums
Francesco Bertone – Electric Bass, Fretless Bass
Marco Moro – Flute, Alto Flute, Bass Flute
Mauro Vero Chitarre – Acoustic & Electric Guitars
~ With:
Ines Aliprandi – Lead Vocals
Marco Canepa – Pianoforte
Mirco Rebaudo – Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones, Clarinet
Paolo Maffi – Soprano, Alto & Tenor Saxophones
Enrico Allavena – Trombone, Bass Tuba
Davide Mocini – 12-String Guitar (3 & 6)
Marco Fadda – Percussion
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: Italy
Date of Release: 30th April 2025
