Alberto Rigoni
Something Different Lion Music

by Matthew Hoffman
Staff Writer

Comments: Something different? What would it take for an instrumental guitar release to truly be something different? Leave it to a guitarhead sick-fanatic to set out and discover just that, with a CD from guitarist Alberto Rigoni. It comes from Finland’s Lars Mattsson’s powerhouse Lion Music label. Many special 4, 5, 6 and 7 stringed axe monsters have emanated from this label that dedicates its very life to the genres of instrumental guitar and progressive metal. Talented Euro axe men Francesco Fareri, Simone Fiorletta and Milan Polak, newcoming sensation Emir Hot as well as underground legends Jennifer Batten and Michael Harris have graced the halls of Lion. Bass guitar has seen the extraordinary likes of Kyle Honea, Randy Coven and Tony Franklin.

This time it's Italian bassist Alberto Rigoni from the progressive rock band Twinspiritis. He is lunging forward with his first instrumental solo release entitled Something Different.

Mr. Rigoni achieves what he set out to with the creation of a cool funky and definitely different instrumental release.

There is no theme, no rules and no specific path taken here as seen on unique catchy cuts like the bass guitar sensation “BASSex.” This track is a groove laden ‘70’s big afro Austin Powers kind of song. Nothing but fun in the sun, baby!

Right after this “trip” is the beautiful cut “One Moment Before” which is a mini ballad of sorts, and then it’s right back into the funk with the rock jam “Roller Coaster.” Here there are male vocals (almost sounding like they surged through a speaker) both spoken in the mode of the kick ass band The Prodigy’s hit “Firestarter.” A cool really aggressive metal guitar solo jumps from the party and becomes a nice feature married with all the deep bass notes and killer drum beats.

Next there are cool bass guitar notes; funky single high pitched drum beats and a neat guitar note thrown in occasionally on “Desert Break.” This track sounds a bit like the great jazz fusion trio Ohm and also includes the really neat ambient sounds of kids playing.

Another jazz fusion cut this time slanted a bit towards a rock ballad is entitled “Jammin on Vocal Drums.” This cut has more expert guitar work played over a funky drum beat and of course more amazing bass guitar action.

The labels website uses the word poetic and says it’s free from any genre, well Lion Music you are absolutely correct.

This is a fun, original and utterly beautiful release from the tall Italian bass guitar maestro. Anyone that appreciates quality music should consider buying this selection for someone special in their life.

And yes it is certainly something different.

Musicians:
Alberto Rigoni- Bass
Lorenzo Nizzolini- Keyboards on tracks 1, 3, 6, 7 & 10
Enrico Buttol- Drums on tracks 3 & 5, e-drums on tracks 4 & 7, vocal drums on track 9
Marco Torchia- E-drums on track 1
Tommy Ermolli- Guitar on tracks 1, 3 & 7
Daniele Gottardo- Guitar on track 9
Irene Ermolli- Vocals on track 5
Daniele "Kenny" Conte-Vocals on track 7

Track Listing:
01 The Factory
02 Trying To Forget
03 Glory Of Life
04 SMS
05 BASSex
06 One Moment Before
07 Roller Coaster
08 Desert Break
09 Jammin' On Vocal Drums
10 Sweet Tears

Hardrock Haven rating: 7.8/10