Alan Sorrenti - Aria (1972)

Dramatic, expansive, far-out prog from Italian composer Alan Sorrenti. The monolithic title track is all lush, ornate instrumentation and bizarre, semi-theatrical singing; elsewhere can be found more low-key, romantic-sounding folk-rock. Woozy beauty abounds. Features the spaced-out violin playing of OPIUM HUM favorite Jean-Luc Ponty.

Track listing:
1. Aria
2. Vorrei Incontrarti
3. La Mia Mente
4. Un Fiume Tranquillo

Peace crusaders

You'll probably also enjoy:

Sergius Golowin -
Lord Krishna Von Goloka (1973)

Claude Léveillée -
Black Sun (1978)

Jean-Luc Ponty - Electric Connection (1969)

Previously on OPIUM HUM:
Jean-Luc Ponty - Cosmic Messenger (1978)

Let's get the year started right, shall we? Electric Connection has hints of the space-brained fusion of later Ponty releases, but overall sticks much closer to straight-ahead hard bop. Led by a violinist, of course. Energetic and remarkably fresh-sounding.

Track listing:
1. Summit Soul
2. Hypomode Del Sol
3. Scarborough Fair / Canticle
4. The Name of the Game
5. The Loner
6. Waltz for Clara
7. Forget
8. Eighty-One

We stand in sapphire silence

Jean-Luc Ponty - Cosmic Messenger (1978)

Cosmic instrumental fusion led by electric violinist Jean-Luc Ponty. Lots of synth, chiming guitars, and the most spaced-out, noodle-y violin playing I've ever heard. Just about as awesomely nerdy as it gets.

Track listing:
1. Cosmic Messenger
2. The Art of Happiness
3. Don't Let the World Pass You By
4. I Only Feel Good with You
5. Puppets' Dance
6. Fake Paradise
7. Ethereal Mood
8. Egocentric Molecules

Mystical adventures

If you dig this, try:

Billy Cobham - Total Eclipse (1974)

Ian Carr's Nucleus - Out of the Long Dark (1978)