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AURORA CLARA
Clear Dawn
(2022 - Youkali Music -Spain)

https://auroraclara.bandcamp.com/album/clear-dawn

This is a second album by the Spanish fusion outfit Aurora Clara. They have continued on a path of early fusion giants such as Mahavishnu Orchestra but also explore other areas with the nimble musicianship clearly showing their mastering of these avenues. Jerry Goodman (The Flock, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Dixie Dregs) also appears on this (as he did on their debut), which is one of many reasons to pay attention to this release. Some various influences added are Flamenco, and of course a strong dose of rock to keep that fusion rolling. Some of the 1970's international fusion bands such as Iceberg, Granada (both Spanish), Modry Effek (later known as Blue Effect), and Jazz Q Praha (both from  Czech), Nova (Italy) (especially the 2nd album 'Wings of Love' on the song 'Bicycling to Funkistan' - trk 3) plus more widely known artists such as Al Di Meola and Jean-Luc Ponty also crop up in spots. The better period of German jazz rock/fusion band Passport can also be a reference. The nice fact is, none of these cover the whole album nor do they represent any notion of copy. Just informational suggestions for fans of those bands. There is no crime in a throw back to a ground breaking era.

All the music was composed by Raul Mannola with the exception of tracks 'The Old Ones' and 'Seis Cafes'     by Marco Anderson. 'Blues for RT' (trk 6) is dedicated to Ralph Towner. The band is : Raul Mannola - Guitars/ Juan Carlos Aracil - Flute/ Denis Bilanin - Keyboards/ Jorge Barrero - Electric Bass/ Marco Anderson - Drums on 1,2,3,4,5,8/ Boris Momtchilov - Drums on 6 & 7/ Zeke Olmo - Congas on 4 & 7/ and  Jerry Goodman - Electric Violin on 1.  One can hear the  collective experience of these musicians instantly. Both Raul and Marco have a long history as artists and thus the wide array of genre skating. From absolute fire and brimstone fusion to delicate airy pauses, the entire album flows beautifully. There are a few superb places for solos to impress the listener. Raul's ability to go from the burning lead guitar fingerwork of Holdsworth/Corrado Rustici to acoustic master like Paul Brett/Gordon Giltrap will astound you. The bassist (Jorge Barrero ) is terrific, and Marco's drumwork is knock out as usual. It sounds as if this band has played together for a decade, as the tight and dynamic changes are polished and perfect. Taste is a key word here.  A treasure for those who love the turn on a dime jazz fusion that impresses and keeps this genre alive.  Keep this good ship afloat Aurora Clara. May we have a 3rd album please?
 
©Reviewed by Lee Henderson  3 - 04 - 2023

 
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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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