La Materia del Suono, the debut solo album by Diego Petrini, will be released on June 20 via AMS Records. Best known as a founding member and primary composer of the Italian progressive rock band Il Bacio della Medusa, Petrini now steps into the spotlight with a fully instrumental concept album that combines 1970s-style progressive rock with jazz-rock and fusion.
Composed primarily on piano, the 12-track, 65-minute album explores the contrast between nature and artificiality, a theme divided into two parts: L’Armonia della Natura and Sull’Artificio dell’Uomo. While rhythmically rooted in jazz-rock, the music incorporates a wide range of influences, including western classical, folk, world music, and lyrical elements, anchored by recurring use of Moog, Mellotron, flute, and flute.
Notably, the album features a guest appearance by Alvaro Fella of Jumbo on the only vocal track, “Quello che trascende,” which urges introspection in an increasingly materialistic world. Other guest musicians include Eva Morelli (flute/sax), Giorgio Panico (fretless bass), Andrea Morelli (electric guitar), and Claudio Ridolfi (accordion).