Chocolate Kings [Import]

1. Da Sotto

2. Arlecchino

3. Re Di Cioccolate

4. Fuori Dal Cerchio

5. Incantesimi Di Carta

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Japanese limited edition reissue of the progressive rock act's 1976 album, packaged in a miniature gatefold LPsleeve. Number One. 2004.

Tracks:

From Under
Harlequin
Chocolate Kings
Out on the Roundabout
Paper Charms

Customer Reviews:

An excellent album by PFM.......2007-03-28

This 1976 release is just fantastic and shows PFM starting to head in the direction of jazz rock that would come to full fruition on Jet Lag (1977). Chocolate Kings is still very much a progressive rock album however, with fantastic playing all around and featuring ex-Acqua Fragile lead singer Bernado Lanzetti for the first time. Although all PFM albums had a high standard of playing, this album seems to pull out all of the stops and as such, ranks among some of my favorite albums by the band.

The lineup on Chocolate Kings includes Franz Di Cioccio (drums, percussion and backing vocals); Patrick Djivas (Gibson "ripper" bass); Franco Mussida (electric and acoustic guitars, backing vocals); Mauro Pagani (flute, violin); Flavio Premoli (Hammond organ, piano, electric piano, synthesizers); and Bernado Lanzetti (lead vocals in English). The individual and ensemble virtuosity on this album is simply stunning - these guys are all incredible players (I love the aggressive, trebly tone that Patrick gets out of his Gibson). Bernado Lanzetti has a very unusual vocal style that is definitely an acquired taste - there is a great deal of vibrato in his singing and the quality of his voice is somewhat hoarse (it sounds like he sings from his throat rather than his diaphragm). Still, his voice does not bother me too much - the playing is just incredible and more than makes up for it.

The five tunes on Chocolate Kings range in length from 4'39 to 8'30 with four of the five tracks in the 7-8 minute range. In large part, this album is comprised of very high energy progressive rock with enough jaw-dropping playing to keep all prog fans very entertained. There are some nice dynamic contrasts too and the arrangements are simply top notch. I think that of all the tunes, the title track is the closest the album comes to even vaguely resembling a pop track (it actually reminds me somewhat of Celebration from Photos of Ghosts, 1973) although it too is still over-the top prog with breathtaking soloing.

All in all, this album is very highly recommended along with Storia di un Minuto (1972), Photos of Ghosts, The World became the World (1974), and Jet Lag.

"Kings" is Aces.......2006-01-24

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El Principe t Bernardo's expression-over-enunciation delivery obscures them so badly. (Write me if you're interested in seeing a lyric sheet.)

The credits reveal that this LP was very much the compositional brainchild of flautist/violinist Mauro Pagani, and unfortunately it proved to be his swan song with PFM. He left the band to do a very mediocre solo album, and PFM replaced him with another violinist, Gregory Bloch, who could bring none of the compositional fire to the band that Pagani provided for "Chocolate Kings." I vividly remember how anxiously I anticipated the follow-up to "Chocolate Kings" back in 1976, and how DISSAPOINTED I was by the all-too aptly titled "Jet Lag" that abruptly brought the band halfway down the pinnacle they'd ascended in '74 with "Chocolate Kings."

Of course PFM still soldiers on, as a quartet, (Bernardo is long gone, unfortunately) and they certainly command respect among us prog-heads as they continue to record and tour, though I confess I haven't kept up with them since the mid 1980's. Still nothing can ever obscure the blinding brilliance of "Chocolate Kings." I say with ABSOLUTE conviction that if you're interested enough to give this underappreciated band a try, THIS IS THE CD TO BUY.

Best album.......2004-09-13

Chocolate Kings features the addition of lead singer Bernardo Lanzetti. This expanded the group to six musicians. Lanzetti sounds like a mixture of Peter Gabriel and Gentle Giant's Derek Shulman. All lyrics are in English.

Musically, this album is rich in progressive rock arrangements and songwriting. It is a wonderful mix of keyboards, guitars, violin, flute, drums, and vocals. Six fairly long songs make up the album. This album should be in every prog-rock fan's collection. Too bad the album isn't more readily available.

Buy this album, even if it means applying force to the scoundrels and scallywags who should do a better job of supplying quality music to the masses.

Strangely flat with horrible vocals.......2004-08-07

This is basically PFM's fourth studio album. Two of PFM's albums have Italian and English versions, with different titles, so it may appear as though this is PFM's sixth studio album. They also released a live album before this.

PFM is an Italian group with limited English skills. To try to better penetrate the US market, the group tried various experiments in English. Their first three albums were originally in Italian (except for one English song). The second and third albums were redone with English lyrics supplied by Pete Sinfield (who wrote the lyrics for the early King Crimson albums).

On this album, they bring in a new singer, lyricist, who is Italian but can write and sing in English. The problem is that is vocal style and his voice are horrible and he ruins the whole album. He sings in this very annoying undulating, yodelling style. To get an idea of the negative impact of his vocals, listen to Out of The Roundabout on this album and then hear how much better the song is on pfmpfm.com or Live In Japan with a different vocalist. Some call him an acquired taste, as if listening to him over and over again will make you like him. I would consider it torture.

The whole idea of trying to reach a US audience through English lyrics is ridiculous. With both this album and Pete Sinfield's words, the English lyrics are incomprehensible. They are just written to sound good. It is what Yes used to do. I would much rather hear Italian lyrics that I don't understand, sung nicely with emotion, than hear English that make no sense, sung poorly.

The other problem with this album is that the music is strangely flat, as if something is missing. It seems muted and dull. Compare this to PFM's earlier albums with a bright, lively sound. To be honest, I have only heard the LP version of this album. Someone claims that the remastered version of the CD sounds much better. This could be a much better album if the sound quality was better, so I will be seeking out a remastered copy of the CD.

Note that the cover of this CD came in different versions for Europe and the US. The European version has a heavy women in a slip on the cover.

It has been incorrectly stated that the album Live in the USA is a live version of Chocolate Kings. Live in the USA was recorded and released before Chocolate Kings and contains no songs from Chocolate Kings. Live in the USA came from the tour to support PFM's third album, L'Iosla di Niente, or the English version called the World Became the World. Live In the USA was the title of the album released in Europe. In the US it was called Cook. It is a great album. PFM is a different band in concert. They are a rocking, jamming band, creating wonderful solos.

The tour to cover this album is available on vol 3 of 10 Anni Live. The 4 volume boxset is fantastic. You can also get each volume separately (when available). Another great album to get is Live in Japan, which was recently released.

Best PFM Album!.......2004-02-11

I first heard this in 1977 in my teenage years (at Karma Records in Evansville, IN). It struck me as in the same league as ELP, Genesis, King Crimson, and Tull- GREAT PROG! I bought the LP and wasn't sorry! I still own that piece of vinyl and just found this for sale at Tower Records on the web. The music still holds up. Granted, the vocals and words are clumsy (and almost unintelligible-wish they'd included a lyric sheet!), but the music rocks! It is by far the most "rock" that PFM ever sounded. And it flows better than their second best (in my opinion) LP "Per un Amico". Great keyboards, guitiar, etc. Definitely the best crossover (i.e. American-British sounding) Prog LP recorded by an Italian band.

Average customer rating:

Chocolate Kings
PFM
Manufacturer: Numero Uno
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000BM6KLU
Release Date: 2005-12-19

Tracks:

From Under
Harlequin
Chocolate Kings
Out on the Roundabout
Paper Charms

Album Description

Limited edition Japanese pressing of the 1976 album features the original tracks and comes in a miniatures LP sleeve. Victor. 2005.

Album Details

Special 24bit K2 Japanese Limited Edition Issue of the Album Classic in a Deluxe, Miniaturized LP Sleeve Replica of the Original Vinyl Album Artwork.

Average customer rating:

Chocolate Kings
PFM
Manufacturer: Numero Uno
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

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Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0001ZX4MA
Release Date: 2004-07-05

Tracks:

From Under
Harlequin
Chocolate Kings
Out on the Roundabout
Paper Charms

Album Description

Japanese limited edition reissue of the progressive rock act's 1976 album, packaged in a miniature gatefold LPsleeve. Number One. 2004.

Album Details

24bit Digitally Remastered Japanese Limited Edition in an LP-STYLE Slipcase.

Average customer rating:

Muzik Tunes of The Year 2001
New Order , The Rhythm Masters , Chocolate Puma , Kings of Convenience , Agent Sumo , Bent , Rennie & Blim , Bjork , Tim Deluxe , and Timo Maas
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000KK311U

Product Description

Tracklisting: 1.Crystal (Lee Coombs Remix)-New Order 2.Underground-The Rhythm Masters 3.I Wanna Be U (Radio Edit)-Chocolate Puma 4.I Don't Know What I Can Save You From (Royksopp Remix)-Kings of Convenience 5.24 Hours-Agent Sumo 6.Always (Ashley Beedle's Mahavishnu Remix)-Bent 7.Eskimo (Yellow Snow Mix)-Rennie & Blim 8.Lifetimes(Radio Edit)-Slam Featuring Tyrone 'Visionary' Palmer 9.Hidden Place-Bjork 10.Sirens-Tim Deluxe 11.Killin' Me (Jan Driver Remix)-Timo Maas 12.Bel Amour-Bel Amour 13.Believers(King Unique Extended Mix)-Baz 14.Ride The Storm-Akabu

Average customer rating:

bittersweet
An excellent album by PFM

Chocolate Kings
PFM
Manufacturer: Jvc Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Photos of Ghosts
Cook

ASIN: B0001ZX35S
Release Date: 2004-06-29

Tracks:

From Under
Harlequin
Chocolate Kings
Out on the Roundabout
Paper Charms

Customer Reviews:

bittersweet.......2005-08-07

Ah the memoritrategies_for_a_successful_retirement_plan.html">077 078 079 080 081 082 083 084 085 086 087 088 089 090 091 092 093 094 095 096 097 098 099 100 101

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Tracks:

From Under
Harlequin
Chocolate Kings
Out on the Roundabout
Paper Charms

Album Description

Digitally remastered using K2 technology, this is a Japanese reissue of the Italian progressive rock band's 1976 album in a miniaturized LP sleeve limited to the initial pressing only & with the original cover art intact. 1999 release.

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring a Limited Edition LP Style Slipcase for Initial Pressing Only.

Customer Reviews:

Strangely flat and horrible vocals.......2003-08-30

PFM is an Italian group with limited English skills. To try to better penetrate the US market, the group tried various experiments in English. Their first three albums were originally in Italian (except for one English song). The second and third albums were redone with English lyrics supplied by Pete Sinfield (who wrote the lyrics for the early King Crimson albums).

On this album, they bring in a new singer, lyricist, who is Italian but can write and sing in English. The problem is that is vocal style and his voice are horrible and he ruins the whole album. He sings in this very annoying undulating, yodelling style. To get an idea of the negative impact of his vocals, listen to Out of The Roundabout on this album and then hear how much better the song is on ...or Live In Japan with a different vocalist. Some call him an acquired taste, as if listening to him over and over again will make you like him. I would consider it torture.

The whole idea of trying to reach a US audience through English lyrics is ridiculous. With both this album and Pete Sinfield's words, the English lyrics are incomprehensible. They are just written to sound good. It is what Yes used to do. I would much rather hear Italian lyrics that I don't understand, sung nicely with emotion, than hear English that make no sense, sung poorly.

The other problem with this album is that the music is strangely flat, as if something is missing. It seems muted and dull. Compare this to PFM's earlier albums with a bright, lively sound. To be honest, I have only heard the LP version of this album. Someone claims that the remastered version of the CD sounds much better. This could be a much better album if the sound quality was better, so I will be seeking out a remastered copy of the CD.

Note that the cover of this CD came in different versions for Europe and the US. The European version has a heavy women in a slip on the cover.

It has been incorrectly stated that the album Live in the USA is a live version of Chocolate Kings. Live in the USA was recorded and released before Chocolate Kings and contains no songs from Chocolate Kings. Live in the USA came from the tour to support PFM's third album, L'Iosla di Niente, or the English version called the World Became the World. Live In the USA was the title of the album released in Europe. In the US it was called Cook. It is a great album. PFM is a different band in concert. They are a rocking, jamming band, creating wonderful solos.

The tour to cover this album is available on vol 3 of 10 Anni Live. The 4 volume boxset is fantastic. You can also get each volume separately (when available). Another great album to get is Live in Japan, which was recently released.

Finally a re-master of this important work of classic prog!.......2002-12-03

Finally the famous work by PFM, digitally remastered, let you appreciate its artistic quality, much better than the original recording... "Harlequin" and the title track as well are immortal classics; the track "Out of the roundabout" and "From under" are early Genesis-like and some of their best songs too. The voice of Bernardo Lanzetti is difficult to take, but the experience and fame He gained during his period with Acqua Fragile completed his personality in a remarkable way, as long as He reached his peek of career rightly when He recorded this important album with PFM. Afterwards part of this stuff was brought live on stage to USA (listen to the recording of this live, under the title of "Live USA")

Highly recommended !!

A strong album from a band in transition.......2002-11-10

"Chocolate Kings" found PFM on the way from the progressive peak of "The World Became the World" to the fusion-improvisation of "Jet Lag". The band had brought in vocalist Bernardo Lanzetti, who had better command of English than guitarist Franco Mussida, in an attempt to break into the American market. Lanzetti's hoarse voice is an acquired taste (25 years later, I still haven't acquired it), and the production quality had dropped off a bit from "TWBTW". But the songwriting and arrangements were still first-class, and every song is of high quality. Opener "From Under" is a quiet storm, focused on a drop-dead gorgeous violin-synth theme. "Chocolate Kings" may be PFM's best attempt at a hit radio single (in execution, not airplay). The other three songs all start and end with beautiful slow melodies, with fast, intricate passages in the middle. This album has more of the improvisation that typified PFM's live shows than previous albums. Violin/flute player Mauro Pagani left after this album, and was sorely missed. Good luck making out the lyrics without a visit to a fan web-site, and good luck understanding them even then. The title cut appears to be about the influence of American culture and values on Italy after World War II.

(1=poor 2=mediocre 3=pretty good 4=very good 5=phenomenal)

Forever PFM.......2000-09-08

I bought this album when it was released back in the 70's. It has taken me the best part of 20 years to find a CD version and it is almost never out of the car. For me this is the definitive classic prog-rock album. Every single track ouzes quality and musicianship I have never heard before or since. If ever I was shipwrecked on a desert island with only one CD, this would be it. An album of music for musicians.....the very best musicians.

What it is.......2000-04-18

This is a Japanese 20-bit K2 remaster, packaged in a miniature facsimile of the original LP sleeve, as issued by Manticore in the 70s. My rating is on the packaging, not the music - I guess if you're interested you'll already know if you like it. However, if you're looking for an intro to PFM, try one of the cheaper imports, like their Italian album "Per un amico."

Average customer rating:

Chocolate Kings
PFM
Manufacturer: Bmg Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

International | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00008ESCU
Release Date: 1995-08-01

Tracks:

From Under
Harlequin
Chocolate Kings
Out on the Roundabout
Paper Charms

Average customer rating:

Chocolate Kings
PFM
Manufacturer: Import [Generic]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

International | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000B00IC
Release Date: 2004-02-24

Tracks:

From Under
Harlequin
Chocolate Kings
Out on the Roundabout
Paper Charms

Album Description

Limited edition 24-bit remastered reissue of the Italian progressive rock act's 1976 album in a digipak. Digipak. BMG Italy. 2003.

World Music: