Little is known about this band from Emilia, which released no less than two albums and a couple of singles with this name, and others in later years as Bulldog. Both albums don't contain any information on the band and is likely that the record companies wanted to promote them as a foreign band as it was common practice then, to give the groups a wider audience. The only foreign member was in fact English bassist Taylor, who had come to Italy with the beat band The Casuals during the 60's, the others were from Bologna and Modena.First album contains 10 tracks, all sung in English and with good use of flute and guitar. The sound is not particularly original and owes much to English bands. There are some jazzy influences here and there, like in the last track, Funny wife, that's totally instrumental and contains a long drum solo. Sax player Alan King, who collaborated with many Italian artists including Banco del Mutuo Soccorso (in their ...di terra LP) makes a guest appearance in the album.The second, Ping Pong, came two years later on Spark label, and contained a mix of commercial songs and more original tracks, this time entirely sung in Italian and with the strong presence of new vocalist Giorgio Bertolani.Tracks like Il miracolo, Caro Giuda (Italian version of Blue Mink's single Time for winning), both also released on singles, or Cresciuta in un paese with orchestral arrangement, fall in the typical mainstream pop Italian style of the era, while Il castello or the long jazzier Suite in 4 tempi are among the best moments, very well composed. Musically well played, the album contains nice keyboard and sax parts, demonstrating the very good quality of the musicians involved.Like many other bands examined here (Exploit, Flashmen, Fili d'Erba) Ping Pong mixed together totally different styles, alternating between commercial songs and more original tunes, in this case jazz-oriented. The result is, unfortunately, rather disjointed and not particularly satisfying.The band reappeared a few years later as Bulldog, with two albums and lots of singles all sung in English and mostly rock-oriented with the usual commercial songs put in.Bass player Alan Taylor, released a solo pop single on Blue Jean (BJ 614), Song for Magdalena, in 1977.
Line-up / Musicians Mauro Falzoni/guitars,vocals Celso Valli/keyboards Paride Sforza/saxophone,clarinet Alan Taylor/bass,vocals Vittorio Volpe/drums Giorgio Bertolani/vocals Discography(Album) Ping Pong 1973
1.Il Miracolo 2.Plastica E Petrolio 3.Cresciuta In Un Paese 4.Il Castello 5.Il Villaggio 6.Suite In 4 Tempi 7.Viene Verso Di Me 8.Caro Guida (A Time For Winning)
Gli Alluminogeni - Scolopendra 1972Gli Alluminogeni's roots can be traced back to 1966, and to five young friends who met each year while on holiday on the Italian Riviera. Originally f…Read More
I Santoni - Noi 1972I Santoni were formed in Florence in the second half of the 60's, the early line-up included bassist Marco Puggelli and drummer Wilson Lupi, later rep…Read More
Albero Motore - Il Grande Gioco 1974A Rome-based, five-piece band, ALBERO MOTORE got together in the early Seventies. Their name means "drive shaft" in Italian. They were discovered by t…Read More
Apoteosi - Apoteosi 1975APOTEOSI is a prime example of the countless Italian bands of the 1970s that disappeared after the release of one hit-and-run album. They seem to have…Read More
ATP - Giobbe, Uno Degli Uomini 1977This album is often described as a lost gem of the Italian Prog, but what the listener will get listening to this work is some decent, well-played but…Read More
