ALBERTO RIGONI - Three Wise Monkeys (2012)

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Exceptional bass player and composer ALBERTO RIGONI surprised us last year with his very good CD 'Rebirth' (already presented in this blog), and now returns in the form of "Three Wise Monkeys", a brand new solo effort to be released on October 1st.

Member of TwinSpirits, Lady, The Bass and sessionist for Don Airey to name one, Alberto is rapidly gaining audience in the international progressive rock music scene for inventive genre-crossing compositions that paint alluring soundscapes comprehensible to wide varieties of listeners, yet artistically sophisticate and individualistic enough to sustain one's attention once gained.
For "Three Wise Monkeys" Rigoni has formulated a more commercial approach, going from melodic and progressive hard rockers to elaborated fusion-prog numbers, interspersing 5 instrumentals with 5 vocal tracks.
The prolific bassist has gathered an impressive roster of special guests to assist, including vocalists Göran Edman (Yngwie Malmsteen) and Jonas Erixon (Alicate), guitarists Tommy Ermolli (Khymera) and Simone Mularoni (DGM, Empyrios), keyboardists Mistheria (Bruce Dickinson, Rob Rock) and Kevin Moore (Dream Theater, OSI, Chroma Key), and drummers Mark Cross (Outloud, Helloween) and Paco Barillà (Daniele Liverani) among many others.
This line-up alone shows the respect Rigoni's name carries in the music world.

"Three Wise Monkeys" is partly conceptual album based on the Japanese legend which embodies the proverbial principle of 'see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil'. The three monkeys are named Mizaru (who sees no evil), Kikazaru (who hears no evil), and Iwazaru (who speaks no evil) – and each gets his own instrumental on the album.
The source of this legend is a 17th century carving over a door of the Toshogu Shrine in Nikko, Japan (the shrine also gets its own track).
Of course, Alberto's bass is the keystone to the music, tying each track together. Despite this fact he manages to keep the bass from hogging the spotlight, allowing his many guests to step to the front as needed.
Each performer is allowed to shine, and the music moves from genre to genre without abrupt or jarring transitions making it a 'true album' and not simply a collection of songs.
Soft temple bells provide the meat of the opening track “Toshogu Shrine,” leading nicely into the varied tempo changes, driving rhythms, and intense Kevin Moore supplied keyboards of “Mizaru”.

“Three Wise Monkeys” is an up-tempo rocker featuring the warm and unique tone of vocalist Göran Edman and some fine drumming by Paolo Valli over Rigoni’s slick bass.
The soft and moving “Kikazaru” is Rigoni’s bass expo and he proves just how much emotion and feeling a well-played bass guitar can produce.
Jonas Erixon contributes fine vocals and Tommy Ermolli plays some amazing guitar breaks on the intense and heavy prog rocker “Blackened Tornado”.
Rigoni makes his bass sing on the instrumental “Iwazaru,” laying out some interesting patters and getting almost bell-like tones from the instrument. He is capably backed by the ethereal keyboards of Federico Solazzo and complex patterns of drummer Sebastian Persini.
A bluesy and gritty tone drives “Free Falling,” another vocal track that features the fine guitars (and very metal solo) of Simone Mularoni. “Between Space and Time” is a soft, almost ambient instrumental, driven by the gentle and distinctive keyboards of Mistheria. “Coming Home” is a very good mid tempo rock ballad, and it allows vocalist Erixon to take the spotlight.
The album wraps with the slow and emotional “Believe.” Erixon’s vocals again shine, but the track is fully anchored by Rigoni’s bass and Barilla’s drums.


"Three Wise Monkeys" is a very good album in its own. It isn't just an exposition of fine bass work; rather it is a solid musical release.
Nicely balanced between interesting instrumentals and vocal rockers, the music manages to dazzle the listener without making it a 'wizard player' album.
Rigoni's eclectic mix of influences and styles proves him to be a complete musician who fully explores the limits of his instrument of choice. He is an outstanding performer whether delivering simple rhythms or pounding out complex riffs.
Alberto never neglects the melodic elements of songwriting and plays with his heart, not just his fingers.
"Three Wise Monkeys" should be seen as a solid progressive / rocking 'fusion' and not a bass player ego trip. In short; a very good Rock album.
Very Recommended

You've seen it first here, at 0dayrockz


01 - Toshogu Shrine
02 - Mizaru (feat. Kevin Moore)
03 - Three Wise Monkeys (feat. Goran Edman)
04 - Kikazaru
05 - Blackened Tornado
06 - Iwazaru
07 - Free Falling (feat. Mark Cross)
08 - Between Space And Time
09 - Coming Home
10 - Believe


Alberto Rigoni – 4, 5 and 6 string bass
Göran Edman – vocals on track 3
Jonas Erixon (Alicate) – vocals on tracks 5, 7, 9 & 10
Kevin Moore (ex Dream Theater, OSI) – keyboards on track 2
Federico Solazzo (Alexia) – keyboards on tracks 5, 6 & 9
Mistheria (Bruce Dickinson, Rob Rock) – keyboards on tracks 8 & 10
Alessandro Bertoni (Aphelion) – keyboards on track 3
Tommy Ermolli (Khymera) – guitars on tracks 2, 3, 5, 9 & 10
Simone Mularoni (DGM, Empyrios) – guitars on track 7
Mark Cross (Outloud) – drums on track 7
Paolo Valli – drums on tracks 2 & 9
Sebastian Persini – drums on tracks 5 & 6
Paco Barilla (Daniele Liverani) – drums on track 3 & 10



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ALBERTO RIGONI - Rebirth (2011)

Alberto Rigoni may be a new name for some, but he has been a vital part of the rock music scene for a while.
Best know as the bass player for Twinspirits, the progressive metal project of keyboard player Daniele Liverani, Rigoni has garnered much praise for his fresh and unique style.
A native of Montebelluna, Italy, Rigoni started playing with Ascra, a progressive-metal cover band. He joined Twinspirits in 2003, and worked on some solo material as well.
Not content with just solo works and Twinspirits, Rigoni made guest appearances on a number of other albums, and formed the pop-electro-experimental project called Lady & The Bass with Italian singer Irene Ermolli.

In 2010 the prolific bassist began work on "Rebirth" and gathered a number of top notch talent to assist, including Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree), John Macaluso (Ark, Yngwie Malmsteen), vocalist Jonas Erixon (Alicate), guitarist Tommy Ermolli (Twinspirits) and more.
So when talking about quality, before even listening to it, we know it would be a guarantee.
Now, after listening to it, I can tell this is a very good record.

Rebirth is a mix of many genres, everything from moody, almost ambient progressive rock instrumentals to melodic hard rock vocal tracks.
The album starts on a high with the bouncy and progressive rock tune “Free”, while “Rebirth” is a melodic bass masterpiece with many classical influences. In today’s music most bass players simply pound out rhythms lines, but Rigoni fully PLAYS the instrument to its full potential.
“Story Of A Man” continues on the softer rock side while adding jazz-rock influences, and features some very intricate drum work backing up the elegant bass line that builds in intensity as the song evolves.

“The Net” is an atmospheric, almost ambient rock piece that leads into the straight up rocker “Emptiness”. This track is the first appearance of fine Swedish singer Jonas Erixon, and proves that Rigoni can slot his impressive chops into a vocal piece without dominating the music or distracting the listener.
“A New Soul” sounds almost new-age with a touch of the Dixie Dregs rolled in for good measure. This track fully displays Rigoni’s ability to convey true emotion with the bass – not an easy task.
“With All My Forces” is hard rock, pure and simple. Great bass, intense guitars, solid vocals and fine drums make this track a winner.
Intricate proggie bass drives “Ontogeny”. Here the participation of keyboards and drums is primordial; they help the bass sound a lot and all together create a strong, symphonic and dreamy composition. This is also the longest track on the album, and without a doubt, one of its highlights.
“White Shine” has a dreamy sound from the first piano notes on. Here I can imagine the music working for the final part of a film, with a happy ending, of course.
On "BASSex" Rigoni flirts with electro-funk grooves, a song with a monster pumping round bass sound featuring Irene Ermolli vocals.
The electronics are the motto of "Roller Coaster", an uptempo and modern track including bombastic programmed drums, vocoder vocals and a great guitar solo by virtuoso Tommy Ermolli.


Not just a exposition of fine bass playing, "Rebirth" is an entertaining delight, mostly tending towards progressive rock, but it transcends genres, including some jazz-rock elements, funk, and a couple of hard rockers.
Nicely balanced and engineered to emphasize the bass, Rigoni manages to dazzle the listener without making a 'bass guitar' album.
Bassists everywhere could learn a thing or two from Rigoni, not just as players but as songwriters.
Alberto’s diverse influences and styles show him to be a complete musician and an outstanding performer, delivering everything from simple rhythms to complex runs while never neglecting the melodic elements or breaking from traditional song structures. He play with his heart, emotionally and expressively.
Top marks go to the production which really brings out the best of these compositions.
Strongly recommended for everyone who enjoy trying new music arrangements and new ideas, made with class and good taste.


01 - Free
02 - Rebirth
03 - Story of a Man
04 - The Net
05 - Emptiness
06 - A New Soul
07 - With All My Forces
08 - Ontogeny
09 - White Shine
10 - BASSex (extra track)
11 - Roller Coaster (extra track)
12 - Trying To Forget (extra track)


Alberto Rigoni: bass

Jonas Erixon: vocals on tracks 5 & 7
Irene Ermolli: vocals on track 10
Daniele "Kenny" Conte: vocals on track 11

Gavin Harrison: drums on tracks 1, 5 & 7
John Macaluso: drums on tracks 3 & 8
Enrico Buttol: drums on track 10, 11

Yves Carbonne: bass on tracks 2 & 3
Michael Manring: bass on tracks 3 & 6

Tommy Ermolli: guitars on tracks 1, 5 & 11
Simone Mularoni: guitars on track 7

Federico Solazzo: keyboards on tracks 1, 2 & 9
Andrea Pavanello: keyboards on track 8
Filippo Lui “The Captain”: synthesizers on track 5
Emanuele Casali: keyboards on track 7
Lorenzo Nizzolini: Keyboards on track 11



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