Area was an Italian jazz fusion and progressive rock group formed in 1972. They were known for their left-wing socialist and Communist lyrics. Bitches Brew (1970) by Miles Davis is considered the most influential early fusion album Jazz fusion (sometimes referred to simply as fusion) is a musical genre that loosely encompasses the merging of jazz with other styles, particularly rock, funk, R&B, and world music. ... Progressive rock (sometimes shortened to prog rock or prog) is a subgenre of rock music which arose in the late 1960s, reached the peak of its popularity in the 1970s, and continues as a musical form to this day. ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... Socialism is a social and economic system (or the political philosophy advocating such a system) in which the economic means of production are owned and controlled collectively by the people. ... This article is about communism as a form of society and as a political movement. ...

History

Area grew to be one of the most respected and important bands of the blooming 70s Italian progressive rock scene. The youth of the time identified with their socialist lyrics and Area soon grew to prominence, not only because of their political attitude, but also because the band was founded on strong, virtuosic musicianship. For aficionados of Italian progressive rock, their debut album Arbeit Macht Frei is considered a classic. The band was led by Demetrio Stratos, a highly original and talented Greek-born singer who used his voice as an instrument. Area's sound was an odd mish-mash, drawing from rock, jazz, and Eastern and Arabic music, and it was this blend of all sorts of music that made the band stand out. Early Area had prominent saxophone work from Victor Busnello, but when he left along with bassist Patrick Djivas (replaced by Ares Tavolazzi), the Area sound became more guitar and keyboard oriented. Motto: (Transliteration: ) (Translation: Freedom or Death) Anthem: (Hymn to Freedom) Capital Athens Largest city Athens Official language(s) Greek Government Republic  - President Karolos Papoulias  - Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis Independence From Ottoman Empire   - Declared 25 March 1821   - Recognized 1829  Accession to EU January 1, 1981 Area    - Total 131,945 km² (70th...

Area released four studio albums and one live album before Demetrio Stratos's untimely death in 1979. The group was disbanded, but reappeared as Area II in the mid 1980s, although this was in fact a project by Area drummer Giulio Capiozzo with session musicians. It released two albums between 1986-87. Patrizio Fariselli joined Area II in 1997 for the album Chernobyl 9771. This group toured until its split in 1999. Capiozzo died a year later.

Personnel

1973

• Demetrio Stratos: vocals, organ
• Paolo Tofani: guitar, synth
• Victor Busnello: sax, flute, bass clarinet
• Patrizio Fariselli: keyboards
• Patrick Djivas: bass
• Giulio Capiozzo: drums, percussion

1974

• Demetrio Stratos: vocals, organ
• Paolo Tofani: guitar, synth
• Patrizio Fariselli: keyboards
• Ares Tavolazzi: bass
• Giulio Capiozzo: drums, percussion

Discography

Studio albums

• 1973: Arbeit Macht Frei
• 1974: Caution Radiation Area
• 1974: Crac!
• 1976: Maledetti
• 1978: Gli Dei Se Ne Vanno Gli Arrabbiati Restano!
• 1980: Tic Tac
• 1997: Chernobyl 7991

Live albums

• 1975: Are(A)zione
• 1979: Event '76
• 1996: Concerto Teatro Uomo
• 1996: Parigi-Lisboa

External links

Fariselli Project - The official Patrizio Fariselli and Area website: http://www.fariselliproject.com

For more information: http://www.italianprog.com/a_area.htm