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Aranis
Made in Belgium
(2012 -  Home Records - Belgium)

 

 

The fifth recording by chameleon progressive music Aranis is a lively tight as a tick presentation of cover tunes by various (chamber rock/ classical/ avant/ experimental) Belgian composers. The compositions are by Joris Vanvinckenroye, Daniel Denis, Roger Trigaux, Wim Mertens, Wouter Vandenabeele, Ward De Vleeschhouwer, Arne Van Dongen, Luc De Gezelle and Geert Waegeman. I have to say that if someone was totally unfamiliar with these composers, and did a blind listening test with ‘Made in Belgium’, they could easily be fooled into thinking this was a new release of Aranis’s own music. Obviously the band playing all the tunes sounds familiar but this all fits like a warm well worn glove. Happily so. I own original recordings by a majority of the eleven composers so I can compare some of the covers to those in sound and execution. The Wim Mertens tracks (two of them given space here) were similar but not exact in overall sound but this is what logic would expect. There are no extreme parting of any cover, in fact the reverence seems admirable and so well done, you’d be happy to just think this was still Aranis’ music.

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The variation in styles do show through. Wim Mertens “Gentlemen of Leisure” (track 4) was done on touch guitar (guest Trey Gunn), and done to perfection. Never thought I’d hear Mertens done on that instrument. The ‘Where is Grommit’ (track 5) by Arne Van Dongen has a fluffy almost early music sound. Geert Waegeman’s ‘Le Mar ’teau’ (track 6) is more modern classical but also has a part reminding me of Phil Glass and Univers Zero. ‘Short Story’ (track 7) by Luc De Gezelle is under two minutes so hardly gets going for my taste. I wanted more. Joris Vaninckenroye’s ‘L1' (track 8) is a great chamber display that also reminded me of the area of Univers Zero. Things change moist with Daniel Denis’s ‘Bulgarian Flying Spirit Dances 2' (track 10) as it brings the said styles into the spotlight. Another relatively different tune of Roger Trigaux’s ‘Ersatz’ (track 12) and it’s features of Jana Arns on flute and voice. (the only track to have voice). The other players on this disc are Joris Vanvinckenroye: Double bass, Liesbeth Lambrecht: Violin, Marjolein Cools: Accordion, Stijn Denys: Guitar - acoustic, Trey Gunn: touch guitar and Ward De Vleeschhouwer: Piano.

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Aranis show us once again just how versatile a group they are. I begin to think they can do anything at all and do it extremely well. I’m just wondering what they will try next. Whatever it is, I will be waiting and ready to listen. Great music by a great band! Recommended.

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Reviewed by Lee Henderson - July 15,  2013

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BIG BEAUTIFUL NOISE
 

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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