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ALEX WARD
Gated
(2021 - Discus Music - UK)

https://discusmusic.bandcamp.com/album/gated-114cd-2021


 Packed full of split second twists and spiral, a massive amount of musical colors, with large leaps of genre bending, complex composing, all in one gallant display of instrumental Zappa/X Legged Sally/chamber rock RIO, exotic tunes of fanfare. Although the music begins frantic, it does delve into more calm waters, searching like the shark for prey, and then pushing more boundaries to give the listener yet another thrill.

 As so many works during the pandemic of Covid-19 (2020 and beyond) actually gave artists more time to gather steam, reset, and in many cases compose their most incredible releases - this 2021 Discus Music gem titled 'Gated' by Alex Ward is easily one of those. In an eight month period, Ward worked alone, composing, performing, programming, producing, recording, mixing and mastering his no-holds- barred, free range, and absolutely anything is possible project. In ten pieces, aside from the sometimes brutal speed metal tidbits, paired with scatter shot Fred Frith/Nick Didkovsky/David Torn (among many other possible comparisons) guitar pyrotechnics and chainsaw massacres,  avant-garde free form, and partly settling chamber,  there is sharp contrast Stravinsky-styled percussive framework as well as clarinet escapism, even semi post rock, yet there is perfect cohesion throughout. Alex states some of this is programmed, some is improvised, but one will have a hard time knowing what is what, and the act of just listening (without any knowledge of how it was done) will render you speechless.

An extremely gifted musical artist, Alex excels in winds, reeds, guitars, keyboards, and has three decades of experience as session player, composer and bandleader. Very comfortable with free jazz and structured, he easily uses programming to extend any instruments or ideas here to create the moment by moment atmosphere, feel, and result. In the end, the album has a large scale nearly big band sound, or at least in scope, it certainly captures the same magnitude as one. 'Gated' has so many ideas mixed together, not crammed, but tightly constructed, chain linked across an expanse rarely ever witnessed. If you want adventure, a great active and stimulating listening experience, this is for you. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

 ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 1 - 12 - 2022
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A  magazine focused on inventive, progressive, and creative music in any genre that stands out from the rest
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ACQUA FRAGILE
Moving Fragments
(2023 - Maracash - Italy)


https://maracashrecords.bandcamp.com/album/moving-fragments


  A group who have the uncanny talent of keeping their classic  sound along with staying up tpo date. This amazing return is from 1970's Italian progressive rock outfit, with frontier man lead vocal Bernardo Lanzetti, who made this band and some PFM albums so specifically brilliant. At this decade, to expect more beauty would be a fantasy, yet it is set before your ears, even with the first notes, this masterpiece of Italian, (and not only Italian) progressive rock that certainly grasps the notion of what the genre of "progressive" was always meant to be. ACQUA FRAGILE create another sweetly classic knockout recording, not with even a heavy breath of past to present effort.  In fact, it sounds and feels more authentic than ever.  Bernardo sounds as if he never aged a week, and all muscians present are at full force, not passing up the chance to make another massively classic album.   An album to put Acqua Fragile at the top of the few chosen progressive rock choices of all time. The first song ('Her Shadlows Torture' 05:52 - editors note:  A misspell on the 'Shadows' which is on Bandcamp at this writing - but is correct as 'Her Shadow's Torture' on physical CD)  hug you and give all relief, as to any possible doubts of a long awaited fourth album by this top notch Italian band. I claim it will leave your heart lay bleeding. Grab the spectral energy and enjoy a glimpse of beautiful cocoon birth.

  Not one song is with sacrifice, even a wink of lamb. In fact, some elements are added to further enchance and stun the audience, such as inclusive female vocals by Rossella Volta. The bulk of the outfit is Piero Canavera (drums, percussion, vocals),  Franz Dondi (bass), Bernardo Lanzetti (lead vocals, guitar, Glovox),  Stefano Pantaleoni (keyboards),  Claudio Tuma (guitars), with special aid by (aforementioned vocalist Rosella Voita) ,  Gigi Cavalli Cocchi - drums (1,6),  Sergio Ponti - drums (4,9), Stef Burns- guitar (2),  Brian Belloni - guitar (4),  Davide Piombino - 7 string guitar (5),  and David Jackson - sax & flute (6). Could you ask for more?   After one listen you cannot want more. Thank Maracash label (Italy) for standing behind so many great Italian artists who have done the blood, sweat, and tears in earlier years, and deserve the attention now.
Although the band name translates to 'Fragile Water', it might be better described as Precious Water at this point and time in our decreasingly cared for world. Perhaps even better, Rare Water. The beauty of this entire recording is apparent, true, sincere, and a step forward. Better than one would dream of, past the point of how all old fans could imagine, and  actually done in the upper atmospheres of what anyone could have dreamed of. Everyone is top notch and most of all, Lanzetti is 100% present, making it another masterpiece.  It is my deep recommendartion for all fans of both classic progressive rock and the new fields of progressive music to give this a direct and full attention (no distractions) listen. RECOMMENDED.
  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 1 - 19 - 2024


 

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