Osage Tribe - Arrow Head 1972

One of the earliest prog bands from Italy and a matrix of producing musicians for other bands, Genova-based Osage Tribe included a young Franco Battiato in the original 1971 line-up, who left the band after only one single on Bla-Bla label.The remaining trio of singer/multi-instrumentalist Marco Zoccheddu (who had quit earlier from Nuova Idea), bassist Bob Callero and drummer Nunzio "Cucciolo" Favia recorded the band's sole release ''Arrow Head'' in 1972.
Despite having an English title, the album is sung in Italian with the opening 10-min. ''Hajenhanhowa'' being an obcure number of Psych/Proggish Hard Rock with light Folk tendencies, opening with a soft piano/harmonica introduction and revealing a monster sound at the second part with good guitar leads.The eponymous track is another freak Hard Rock track with very complex guitar work, reminding a bit of Museo Rosenbach harder moments, but with somewhat dull vocals.''Cerchio di Luce'' is an interesting piece with nice multi-vocal choirs, plenty of breaks and a middle section filled with a jazzy appreciation on bass/guitar/piano interplays.The only weak moment seems to be the sterile drumming.Another 10-min adventure, ''Soffici Bianchi Veli'' opens with some frenetic guitar-driven instrumental section before getting in an overstretched and less interesting Jazz/Blues mood until the end with the bass work of Callero being the bright spot.''Orizzonti Senza Fine'' is another Psych/Hard/Prog inspiration, having a powerful rhythm section, the guitars come and go, alternating from smooth to hard qualities, while vocals are decent this time.

The Vinyl Magic CD reissue features the pair of tracks from the Battiato era's single, when Osage Tribe had quite a different sound.''Un falco nel cielo'' is actually a Pop/Rock track with some African-inspiration on the vocal parts and ''Prehistoric sound'' is an Engilsh version of it, rather pointless, fully commercial and uninspiring music.

The brief history of Osage Tribe ended not long after this album.Zoccheddu and Callero formed Duello Madre and the remaining Cucciolo recruited ex-Capsicum Red singer/guitarist Red Canzian and bassist Giampiero Marchiani, but Cucciolo was called to fullfill his army obligations shortly after.He was replaced by Helza Poppin's and later Uno's drummer Enzo Vallicelli, but again Canzian left for I Pooh and Osage Tribe disbanded for good.Original drummer Nunzio "Cucciolo" Favia later played with The Trip, while Callero was a stable member of Il Volo.

A great album for all fans of guitar-based Hard Prog but I can see also fans of the early-70's Proto-Prog movement appreciating this release.

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