When it comes to enjoying a finely mixed drink, the music served alongside should be equally elegant to consume. Alessandro Alessandroni delivers exactly that with his 1974 library album L’ora del cocktail. Precisely placed notes from guitar, electric piano or synthesiser gently wander through small, seemingly aimless tonal ranges, accompanied by unobtrusive »Dai, dai, dai« vocals in the background. One could easily dismiss it all as a collection of clichés. Yet Alessandroni was no mere entertainer but a true artist, capable of shaping the simple and the seemingly banal into a form where every element feels perfectly placed, creating a structure that stands strongly on its own.
There is no need for moving images to complete the experience, even though this music was originally composed for use in films and television productions. Individual melodies might easily pass for background music, but when woven together, they reveal an elegance that transcends their functional origins. The films themselves would be worth watching for Alessandroni’s contributions alone.
