Mario Millo - Epic III (Reissue) (1979/2000)

Some of you may remember Mario MILLO from mid-70's band SEBASTIAN HARDIE, one of the best symphonic prog acts to emerge from Australia. The truth is, MILLO was already composing his own tunes at the tender age of twelve. In the mid-60's, he was a big fan of The BEATLES, particularly of John Lennon, and soon got the bug for CREAM, HENDRIX, CHICAGO, YES, MAHAVISHNU and FOCUS among others. In 1973, he joined SEBASTIAN HARDIE and then later reformed the band as WINDCHASE. By the end of the 70's, however, it had become quite difficult to make a living in such a geographically large yet thinly populated country as Australia, the venues for live prog shows being reduced to almost nil. Frustrated, the guys split up, MILLO went his own way and threw himself into composing music for films. For two decades, he pursued an award-winning career, delivering loads of film scores. However, his need to perform and his love for prog had far from died.

His first solo efforts, "Epic III" and "Human Games", recently made available on CD, were originally released in 1979 and 1983 respectively. Both albums are very similar to the music of SEBASTIAN HARDIE, i.e. smooth and very CAMELesque with MILLO's soothing voice and guitar redolent of Andy Latimer's. With his recent album "Oceans of the Mind" (2001), MILLO has given free reign to his talent and creativity. Surrounding himself with five musicians (including his own daughter Jess on backing vocals), he himself handles the guitar, mandolin, Hammond organ and vocals. As it should, his guitar dominates, now soaring blissfully, now wonderfully dreamy. However, beyond the faultless production, the clever arrangements and the technical virtuosity you would expect from Australia's greatest guitarist, what strikes the listener is the feeling involved and the quality of the compositions, those melodies that stick to your mind and can melt your heart.

Highly recommended if you like SEBASTIAN HARDIE, or if you're simply in the mood for some smooth, mature, intelligent music from the best guitarist "down under".