About Raccomandata Ricevuta Ritorno

RACCOMANDATA CON RICEVUTA DI RITORNO (often referred to as RRR) was another of the too numerous one shot bands in the glory days of Rock Progressiveo Italiano. The six musicians, all from Rome, came together in 1972 after playing in several other bands. Notably, Vocalist/guitarist Luciano Regoli played in IL RITRATTO DI DORIAN GRAY, and drummer Francesco Froggio Francica and flute/sax player Damaso Grassi played for a time in PANNA FREDDA. Besides recording their only album in 1972, RRR played in several festivals over the next two years, including the Villa Pamphili pop festival, before breaking up in 1973. Vocalist Regoli and guitarist Civitenga went on to help form SAMADHI. Drummer Francica played on the second album of PROCESSION and later in KALEIDON. The other members continued playing in jazz bands. RRR's only album, "Per... un Mondo di Cristallo" was recorded in 1972, as RPI was maturing. Like the other great RPI albums, this recording pulls together various contrasting styles, often in a way that is jarring and adventurous. Styles include hard rock, melodic pastoral, classical, jazz progressions, and even Eastern sounds. There is a generous usage of flute, sax, keyboard (especially organ), and acoustic and electric guitar. Both the music and the subject matter (an astronaut who returns after a long voyage, discouraged by the horrible earthly scenes he observes from a cliff) call to mind the more adventurous RPI bands such as OSANNA, SEMIRAMIS and IL BALLETTO DI BRONZO, although not quite to their level in either quality or edginess. Still, this album is certainly one of the essential albums that should be found in any RPI collection.