top of page
Ben Levin Group_Our Place COVER.jpg

BEN LEVIN GROUP

Our Place

(2018 – self release – USA)

https://benlevingroup.bandcamp.com/

Herculean composer, guitarist, poet, vocalist, inventor, and great thinker, Ben Levin has a new release called ‘Our Place’ (2018). Trying to describe him as a musician is tough, due to his prolific output and ability to join together such a variety of styles (to the range of bands like Motorpsycho) like progressive rock, metal, avant rock, art pop and much more. Perhaps a hybrid of Frank Zappa, Steven Wilson, super hero, Houdini, and M. C. Escher would be a possible beginning. While all the striking compositional skills are present on ‘Our Place’, it might be considered partly more gentle than his other works, as the lyrics and vocals by Ben are at their most intimate. Gentle and often sorrowful. This is a very reflective recording with the subject matter being deep and where humans, especially Ben’s peer group, become aware of certain things in their life (if they care).

Ben Levin is well known as a member of Bent Knee, but don’t expect this music to be exactly like that, or even much like his previous output under Ben Levin Group. But do expect the unexpected mind frame of a musical creator with an overflowing amount of imagination and kindness for the human condition. A stunning and nearly peerless American musician who is a man about rare skill and productivity, with important things to say. He is capable of concocting revolutionary concepts far beyond the planets. ‘Our Place’ effortlessly wills adventurous orchestra and petite choir to make love with poetic gestation, celestial sway, sinfully smart composition, and sentimental astuteness. He also gives allegiance to the decomposers of this short life on earth. At the same mirror-like time zone, he is a decomposer himself, in such a beautiful way.

While it is impossible to tell what all occurs on this rare breed offering, just allow yourself to partake, and touch base with one of the most unforgettable, impossibly great releases of music this year. The musicians on the album are Ben Levin – vocals, guitar, and production (also did the album art), Kyle Harris – drums, Chris Baum – violin, Josh Friedman – piano, Jessica Kion – vocals and choir vocals, Emmanuel Lee – choir vocals, Tim Doherty – choir vocals, Bradley Goff – choir vocals, Abigale Reisman – violin, Ben Swartz – cello, Sam Morrison – bari sax, Storm D’angelo – tenor sax, and Bryan Murphy – trumpet. The one adjective to highlight is the word huge. All Ben Levin Group releases are big, complex, unpredictable, sometimes cryptic, and multi directional. This disc is all that with a remarkable atonement of perspective, choral dreamscape, orchestral absolution, bursting at the seams addressing, and a new plateau of maturity.

Ben Levin is not only one of the nicest people I have ever met but also what the world needs more of. This mixture of melodic, alternately sweeping arrangements, and solemn vocals, is a meaningful visualization and premium inventive musical experience. The physical CD comes with a nice thin digipak, with contemplative artwork, fold open with artist statements and more art, on 4 panels, plus information. ‘Our Place’ is ABSOLUTELY and UNCONDITIONALLY RECOMMENDED!!!!

Reviewed by Lee Henderson 7 – 10 – 2018

AQUA FRAGILE_Moving Fragments_COVER.jpg

© 2023 by Name of Site. Proudly created with Wix.com

 
 
BIG BEAUTIFUL NOISE
 

A  magazine focused on inventive, progressive, and creative music in any genre that stands out from the rest




Payments of any amount (all donations, no matter how small, are truly cherished) can be sent by PAYPAL  to:
drumlee@proton.me

This magazine exists on kind donations and music related advertisements (although the ads are limited and in no way accepted for favors in reviews). All funds are used to pay for website, domain, and the endless hours of work that is required to keep the reviews and various information  in process. Any donation is extremely appreciated. Thank you.
PayPal ButtonPayPal Button

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


 

bottom of page