MIGLIORI AMICI & CO.
"Best of Friends"
(Vanity Music; 2022)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Migliori & Co. are made up of some pretty impressive musicians. The band is basically the duo of guitarist Ray DeTone (Paul DiAnno’s Killers) and drummer Michael Sciotto (Jefferson Starship), joined here with some equally impressive friends (Mark Clarke - Colosseum, Uriah Heep, Nicky Moroch, Adam Holzman and more). The EP contains six riveting instrumental tracks, consisting of just under 35 minutes of music, and is a fascinating combination heavy on progressive rock, but featuring impressions of other genres, too, including Celtic, classic rock and even a hint of country here and there.
Each track is rich with stunning musicianship, engrossing composition and outstanding production. My favorite is probably the opener, "Sick Shit," with its heavier sound and crushing guitars. A close second, however, is the very different "Arctic Drift," a lighter, atmospheric effort that draws you in slowly and then holds you in its clutches until it reaches the end. The remaining four tracks are impressive as well, especially the guitar-driven "Shattered Glass" and the album closer, "Images." Of course, the remaining two tracks are nothing to skip past either.
If someone asked me how to describe "Best of Friends," I'd say "Think of a mix of Deep Purple (sans vocals), Derek Sherinian and Tangerine Dream." And I'd be way off but that's probably as close as I'm going to get.
For more information, check out https://www.facebook.com/MiglioriAmiciAndCoBand/.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2023 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
