Best enjoyed with a cup of Earl Grey and a Cuban cigar.

'Believe' is the debut album by singer Giulio Ghargentini, a man who's been fronting a Bon Jovi tribute band since 2007 and has appeared in musicals, most notably a production of 'Jesus Christ Superstar'. With twenty years in the music biz behind him and also being involved in teaching in some of the most important Italian music centres, you'd expect this album to be pretty darn good with that kind of background.

Assembling musicians in the form of guitarist Mario Percudani (Mitch Malloy/Axe/Issa), bassist Gianni Grecchi, drummer Paolo Botteschi (who plays with Percudani in Hungryheart) and keyboardist Paolo 'Apollo' Negri, they all have pedigree as quality seasoned musicians. All but two of the songs on offer here are Garghentini/Percudani co-writes with the odd contribution from Negri and Botteschi and tend to focus on faith and relationships with Garghentini as the main lyricist.

The album opens with a groove monster in 'No Second Chance' with Negri's Hammond really coming to the fore, and it's followed by another groove-tastic Hammond covered 'I Can't Stand The Rain' with Ghargentini creating a huge melodic chorus with his Jon Bon Jovi sound-alike vocals. The musicianship and song-writing is first class with the piano-led, gospel tinged ballad 'My Jesus', the funked up semi-jazz number 'Down The Line' and the snazzy cool bordering on West Coast 'The Words That I Haven't Said' with Percudani taking on lead vocals acting like Richie to Garghentini's Jon, all coming across as marvellous slices of a particularly scrumptious cake.

The title track is a Hammond-infused slab of Melodic Rock with Garghentini genuinely immersed in the lyrics, whilst 'Rockstar' is a funky, cool, bluesy Rocker showing different sides all the time to the talented players. When the eclectic melodic 'Sweet Hard Fighter' adds a country tinge to roughen up the edges you know they're just showing off and how can you ignore the bluesy flow and jazzy appeal of 'Love Is Dead' with its layered melodic vocals and sleazy guitar refrain suggesting a little bit of naughtiness?

Closing the album with the semi-ballad 'So Beautiful' with its lovely vocal harmonies on the chorus this is just simply a terrific album for all cool music lovers. Mario Percudani has delivered a great 70s style production with a hint of dirt in its fingernails to give it the seal of approval. Best enjoyed with a cup of Earl Grey and a Cuban cigar!

Carl Buxton