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ARTICLE XI
Live in Newcastle
(2020 - Discus Music - UK)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c73PTEXDUsk

https://discus-music.co.uk/catalogue-mobile/dis89-250-detail

https://discusmusic.bandcamp.com/album/live-in-newcastle-89cd

Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights : Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of their interests. Interesting in this Coronavirus (Covid -19) time that this right to assembly becomes a no no, and outright problem that carries fear in its pocket, to keep us from even thinking about close contact with even one other person, and surely not a crowd of people. But this is about music so away from the chaos and to some magnificent performance for your ears.

An especially intimate mingling of free jazz, free expression, peaceful assembly, and brilliant skillset among eleven exceptional musicians, all in the name of the human rights stated clearly in Article 11 of the European Convention. Although recorded live at the Bridge Hotel, 2017, along with a double bill tour with Favorite Animals, this not to be missed official release on Discus Music in 2020, is available in 6 panel digipak with standout artwork by Angela Guyton. Nothing short of incredible.

The 2nd release by Article XI, led by Anton Hunter, who has perked up my ears for several years in various outfits, some simply stunning, all staying in a utmost inventive field. On this live performance, the arrangements have rare air, and a fresh dash of impulse, yet they are fully loaded as if each and every note were rehearsed for a year or more (well actually 2 of the works are reinvented from their debut album). There is nothing shapeless or jumbled here, just plentiful puzzles of progressive thinking big band with tease, twists and boiling over attainment. Article XI reach for something or some things, and find heights much further up in reality.

The compositions are either 'reimaginnings' of previous arrangements or improvised parts from the musicians in response to a framework already established. ‘Municrination’ (opening track) was in fact birthed from a melody chain by Anton that he presented to Johnny Hunter (his brother) and Graham South, where they improvised around the parts, and then in the end, Anton wrote their results into the final composition. This is the magic that happens with the ensemble and one of several ways the pieces of music get creation and life.

The stellar performers are: Sam Andreae - alto saxophone / Oliver Dover - alto saxophone / Simon Prince - tenor saxophone & flute / Cath Roberts - baritone saxophone / Graham South - trumpet / Nick Walters - trumpet / Kieran McLeod - trombone / Tullis Rennie - trombone / Seth Bennett - double bass / Johnny Hunter - drums / and Anton Hunter - guitar. For this writer/listener, this is like finding another wave of life changers like I did back in the early 70's with Tippetts, anything goes jazz rock, Soft Machine, Henry Cow, and a wide assortment of avant-garde ensembles from all over the globe. I have a second bloodrush with all these implacable, multi metrical, prize releases coming my way over the last decade.

Article XI have slight of hand at times, hop into trespass mode, get robust, lay back, find a new fountainhead, and retreat only momentarily, sidestep, and then create a new groove, all in a flawless exhibition of first class resolution. Think a live album won't have the same zip or drive? WRONG! If anything, this outfit has more presence and punch than anything they could have done in the studio. Folks this is alive and as poignant as one could dream of. An unforgettable live musical performance. MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

  Reviewed by Lee Henderson 3 - 28 - 2020
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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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