Review: It has been some time since we received silky-smooth Contemporary Italian all-male sextet Neri Per Caso's first, self-titled CD. It blew us away like a warm Mediterranean breeze, and from the first few bars of "La Raccolta" we can hear that they've only gotten better--smoother, sexier, and the harmonies and vocal percussion richer and more effortless. As the liner notes are all in Italian we still don't understand a word (except for the final cut, a sumptuous cover of Lennon/McCartney's "Here, There and Everywhere), but then again, chocolate gelato melts in your mouth whether you understand the language or not! 17 songs, a lot of originals "Amore Psicologico," "La Ragazze," "Sentimento Pentimento," "Donne," "Quando," "Io Ci Saro"...these songs simply cook. Four tracks, "Quello Che Vuoi," "Fortuna," "Io Ci Saro" and "Centro Di Gravita Permanente," are also on the debut CD. Most of the second half of the CD, including "Mai Piu Sola," "Appena Un Po A Est," "Sara," "Che Cosa Sei" and "Un Angelo Blu," are intensely accompanied. In their a cappella tunes, NPC is like an Italian Rockapella, if you will--there's a tremendous amount of charisma and talent here, and all we can say is, "recommended!"

Songlist: Amore Psicologico, Tu Sei Per Me, Le Ragazze, Sentimento Pentimento, Donne, 'A Malatia 'E L'America, Quando, Mai Piu Sola, Appena Un Po' A Est, Quello Che Vuoi, Io Ci Saro, Centro de Gravita Permamente, Fortuna, Sara, Che Cosa Sei, Un Angelmo Blu, Here, There And Everywhere

Review: This male Italian sextet provides an infectious brand of contemporary a cappella. Though in Italian (the lyrics are therefore a mystery to us), our appetites are whetted by catchy melodies and sated by enthusiastic and charismatic delivery. The songs groove, with smooth syncopated bass lines. The harmonies are polished, but not too slick. We believe the compositions to be all originals, and they are sung without accompaniment, save for piano on "Un Po' Cosi" and "Volare Via." The group's work has been very hard to obtain in North America, and we were lucky indeed to arrange this special purchase. Neri Per Caso is a welcome infusion of Mediterranean heat!

Songlist: Quello Che Vuoi, Io Ci Saro, Centro Di Gravita Permanente, Un Po' Cosi, Fortuna, Sogno, Cosa C'e Tra Noi, In Un Bar, Canta Appress'a Nuje, Volare Via, Jamming, Quello Che Vuoi