Nicola Alesini and Pier Luigi Andreoni
Marco Polo

MASO CD 90069

Materiali Sonori
Via Tre Novembre, 2
I-52027 San Giovanni Valdarno
Italy
Tel: +55-943888
Fax: +55-9120370

A "concept" album like this could be rather cringeworthy, but Alesini
and Andreoni (and Materiali Sonori) seem to have enough taste to avoid
the cheesiness that have plagued such releases in the past.  In this
respect, this CD can be compared to Hector Zazou's recent releases,
and the similarities do not stop there.  Zazou's Sahara Blue was
text-inspired (Rimbaud's poems), as is Marco Polo (Sklovskij's 1972
Russian bio of the Italian explorer in question).  And the excellent
choice and use of guest musicians -- in some cases the very *same*
musicians -- make A&A's work sucessful for reasons similar to HZ's.
David Sylvian writes the vocal lines & lyrics, and sings, on three of
the tracks; David Torn is on two; and Harold Budd and Roger Eno
contribute as well (although I must feel sorry for Roger; the weak
characteristics of almost anyone's vocals stand out unfavourably when
juxtaposed against Sylvian's beautiful sonorities).  Sylvian's
abstractionist approach to lyrics plays a large part in the avoidance
of a hackneyed, linear, plot-based development of the Marco Polo
concept.  Said lyrics even go so far as to offer some meaty themes
inspired by Marco Polo as icon of west-meets-east conundra, rather
than by Marco Polo as guy-who-sure-did-get around-a-bit-didn't-he
figure.  For example, Maya is a "grass is always greener" mantra,
which seems to be extolling the virtues of other worlds simply because
they are other.  Yet this simplistic idealization and objectification
of the exotic is undermined by the meaning of the title: illusion.
This theme is very deep indeed -- so deep as to be sexual -- and yet
it is a central aspect to the Marco Polo legend.

In sum, an attactive and pleasant release, if not very daring. The
packaging and design are attractive and tasteful, which bodes well for
the upcoming CD-ROM version.  The music is light, almost ambient, with
pop touches because of the vocals, and jazz stylings due to the
Alesini's saxes.  It being Sylvian's first studio appearance since
1993's The First Day alone makes this release worth seeking out.

-- Ron Chrisley