Area international POPular group, most commonly known as Area, is an avant-prog and jazz fusion band from Milan, Italy, formed in the end of 1972. They are known for being one of the most important and astonishing combos in their genre of all times. They have been compared to Gentle Giant for the extreme complexity combined with an elegant and debonair use of polyrhythms; but they had a stronger attitude in managing middle east musical structures and elements, from odd rhythms to the use of tone fourths. And any of these elements are always jointed by a free-jazz attitude and even electronics. They were left-wing fine intellectuals and coupled their very high level compositions with poetical and elegant lyrics, criticizing conservative model with metaphors and rhetorical figures, avoiding gross and bold attacks such as left-wing punks usually did; or joking about philosophical statements, again with a lucid and brilliant style. First asset was: Demetrio Stratos (singer and lyricist), Giulio Capiozzo (drums and percussions), Patrick Djivas (bass, later leaved for Premiata Forneria Marconi and was substituted by Ares Tavolazzi) Eddie Busnello (saxophone, flutes), Johnny Lambizzi (guitar, later was substituted by Paolo Tofani), Leandro Gaetano (piano).