(28 November 2000) We made initial contact with Fabio Armani overten months ago in the run up to a new album by Advena Avis entitled Da TerreLontane. The group's earlier album is entitled Medioevo Futoro (1997).Advena Avis was founded by Armani and Marco Carpiceci in Italy in 1990. Hetold us, "The group's music folows a course which, inspired from the ancient, that is the vast repertoire of medieval melodies, and from the study of instruments and performing techniques of the ethnic and popular world, developed and enricheditself in different phases." His style is further developed with the debutself-titled work Terre Differenti (Different Lands (Italy) DL071, 2000) also released this year.

Our demo version of the album included vocal work by Anna DeMartini. Howeverwhen the album was released her parts were replaced by Yazemin Sannino and Doris Levin. We have had the opportunity to listen to both versions and Armini's earlier Advena Avis albums for some time.

Terre Differenti is extremely atmospheric and an epic work running thefull 74 minute length of a commercial release. It draws significant natural soundsand ethnic chants into the music, which varies from highly rhythmic to that involvingalmost total improvisation, to develop a visually enticing backdrop for theexperience that rises above it. One can not help but be metaphysically transported to a different land when listening to the first two title tracks (I and II).

The theme of different lands is most evident in the ever shifting themes. Onewill hear new age, ethnic and alternative arrangements blended seamlessly with lovelyjazz parts. Production is superb with each of the composer's instruments evidentlydiscernable with perfect clarity. It is an adventurous group of recordings thatmove the body and soul, inspiring relaxation during the journey. Arrangementsare perfectly balanced with our only desire being to have more vocals.

Fabio Armani told us about three of the album's tracks,"'Clouded Shapers' is a song inspired to the beautiful landscapes created by the clouds in the sky. It has an inner strength given by crescendos ofelectric guitar solo, synths and world percussions. 'The Legend Of TheWorld" is a beautiful and evocative New Age piece inspired to ancientlegends on the wind. It uses electronic as well as ancient and worldinstruments. "The Witches and the Desert" is a percussive middle eastoriented piece inspired by a photo of three red dressed women in thedesert. It talks the red tongue of the sand."

The Advena Avis and Terre Differenti albums are instrumentally dramatic andevocative in their construction. The music will likely appeal to a broadaudience with its blend of jazz and world fusion textures. Visit the artist'swebsite for further information. You can read further reviews of Terre Differenti, share your views withothersand order their debut album from amazon.comhere.We found the two Advena Avis and Terre Differenti albums by Fabio Armani tobe a very nice listen!