Gerardo Iacoucci

Symbolism [sim-buh-liz-uh m] noun : the principles and practice of symbolists in art or literature. Psychedelic [sahy-ki-del-ik] adjective : of or noting a mental state characterized by a profound sense of intensified sensory perception, sometimes accompanied by severe perceptual distortion and hallucinations and by extreme feelings of either euphoria or despair.

Gerardo Iacoucci attended the Berklee School Of Music in Boston and, later, founded the Scuola Popolare di Musica di Testaccio (in Rome) – but he is mainly remembered as an excellent jazz pianist. During his long career, the musician born in Veroli explored – with great dedication and talent –various different music genres and recorded many libraries, which easily fit into the category of small masterpieces. One of the most famous is “Simbolismo Psichedelico”, originally released in 1970 by the small label Deneb (home of other heavyweights such as Alessandro Alessandroni, Amedeo Tommasi, Stefano Torossi and Daniela Casa), and also pressed in France by St. Germain De Prés with the title “Symbolisme Psychédélique”. These eleven tracks tirelessly explore the boundaries of an “expressive urge” which is the signature style of a master like Iacoucci. The disturbing atmospheres of “Fantasmi Lunari”, the avant-garde drive of “Ipnosi” and “Inibizioni” (two short sketches at the end of the album), and the free mood of “Psicopatologia” are just a few, among the best and most essential moments of this gem. There are no limits or fears in “Simbolismo Psichedelico” – instead this is an incredible, and truly hallucinatory, sensory experience. Edition of 300 copies, first-ever reissue on vinyl, remastered sound.