Artist
MIRAGEMAN
Hiding behind the Mirageman name was in fact pianist and composer Giovanni Fenati, who released a series of five (but some sources mention a sixth title) library albums between 1969 and 1972 on the Ariston label. At least four known singles were taken from these albums.
Most of this keyboard-led instrumental production has little
connection with progressive music, as demonstrated by the album titles, Per voi
giovani and Alto gradimento were popular radio programs, and the
albums were more in the easy listening/lounge music style.
Only the last one, Thunder and lightning, is definitely in a more
progressive vein, with prominent electric guitar and flute over an orchestral
background. Described as "Deep
Purple jamming on some Henry Mancini-style instrumentals" in an
Internet site, the ten track album is not far from the style of The
Underground Set or Planetarium albums, and was
released on the Ariston Gnomo progressive label.
| LP | |||
| Music cocktail | Ariston (AR/LP 10043) | 1969 | single cover |
| Per voi giovani | Ariston (AR/LP 11005) | 1970 | single cover |
| Thrilling | Ariston (AR/LP 11011) | 1970 | single cover |
| Irma La Douce (489229) | 1997 | 2-LP gatefold reissue with different cover - 4 bonus tracks | |
| Alto gradimento | Ariston (AR/LP 11030) | 1971 | single cover |
| Thunder and lightning | Ariston (AR/LP 12072) | 1972 | textured single cover |
| Irma La Douce (489228) | 1997 | 2-LP gatefold reissue with different cover - 4 bonus tracks | |
CD |
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| Thrilling | Irma La Douce (489229) | 1997 | reissue of 1970 album |
| Thunder and lightning | Irma La Douce (489228) | 1997 | reissue of 1972 album |
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SINGLES (with picture covers) |
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| Thrilling Gulp |
Ariston (AR-0229) | 1970 | both tracks from Thrilling |
| Hashish Hypnosis |
Ariston (AR-0511) | 1971 | both tracks from Thrilling |
| Paralysis Paroxysm |
Ariston (AR-0551) | 1972 | both tracks also on Thunder and lightning, here in different version - probably only issued as promo |
| Thunder Atmosphere |
Ariston (AR-0552) | 1972 | both tracks from Thunder and lightning |
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PROMOTIONAL AND JUKEBOX SINGLES (with blank covers) |
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| Mirageman (Gulp, Thrilling, Killer, Tapioca, Molly, Soho, Sacramento, Cincinnati) | Ariston (prom.editoriale 17) | 1970 | 33rpm promo single with 8 short tracks from the Mirageman albums |
| Mirageman (Go, Revival, Stomp, Lemon, Cotton, Pepper, Sugar, Racket, Chocolate) | Ariston "Omaggio alle orchestre" (prom.editoriale 38) | 1970 | 33rpm promo single with 10 short tracks from the Mirageman albums |
| Paroxysm Paralysis Thunder Atmosphere |
Ariston (AR/EP/1026) | 1972 | promo EP with art cover - all tracks from Thunder and lightning |
| Thunder | Ariston (AR-0552) | 1972 | juke box white label single - backed with a track by other artist |
All the original albums by Mirageman are very hard to
find now. All came in single covers.
The fifth album, Thunder and lightning contained on the back pictures of
previous LP's covers, but Alto gradimento has a black one that's
different from the cover commonly seen, with a girl sitting on the grass. Maybe
that LP was released with two different covers?
Thrilling and Thunder and lightning have been reissued in 1997 by the Irma label on LP and CD with bonus tracks.
No counterfeits exist.
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Music cocktail - front cover |
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Per voi giovani - front cover |
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Thrilling - front cover |
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Thrilling - front cover |
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Thunder and lightning - front cover |
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Promotional 33rpm EP label |
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Thrilling |
Thunder and lightning |
