Murple were a quartet from Rome: Pier Carlo Zanco on vocals, organ, piano, synthesizer and double bass, Giuseppe (Pino) Santamaria on guitars and vocals, Mario Garbarino on bass and Duilio Sorrenti on drums and percussion. Their only album came out in 1974 on BASF, produced by Roberto Marsala, and sank quickly when the label closed its Italian branch.
Io Sono Murple is a concept record in two suites, each made of six short linked pieces, telling the journey of the penguin Murple from the South Pole to a zoo. The music moves between classical piano figures, organ and synthesizer themes, acoustic interludes and brisk rock passages, with a light, often playful touch in titles such as Antarplastic and Variazioni In 6/8.
Long a collectors' item, it is now recognised as one of the more charming minor records of Italian progressive rock.
Japanese CD reissue by Belle Antique in a mini LP sleeve replica with obi, SHM-CD, remastered, with 4 bonus tracks including Nani E Clown (Live 1973).