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BURNT BELIEF
Mutual Isolation
(2021 - Alchemy Records - USA)

https://burntbelief.bandcamp.com/album/mutual-isolation

A spacial album that starts off with something Terje Rypdal fans will instantly gravitate to. That dreamy ECM style ('Waves") will give pause to the ears. Added in to the mix are influences of world music (Brazil  and a variety of other South American regions), and even techno/electronica. Although these genres are woven in, the high level jazz ambient that Jon Durant (Electric and Cloud Guitars, Keyboards) and Colin Edwin (Double Bass, Rhythm Programming) are so superb at still keeps it's firm place at center. The added musicians are Vinny Sabatino (Drums), Aleksei Saks (Trumpet), and Andi Pupato (Percussion).

The beautiful arrangements have a glow about them, and remind of the innovative era of Private Music, Higher Octave (which merged with Narada (and featured the one fantastic solo by Peter Maunu),  and nods to Windham Hill's more electric projects, which includes the airy soundtrack gems of Mark Isham (the trumpet by Saks brings this to light in a large way). Many shades of this ilk appear on 'Mutual Isolation' as do modern atmospheres of ambient by Burning Shed artists (Colin Edwin will be familiar to all who ever loved Porcupine Tree, Ex-Wise Heads, or Random Noise Generator among a number of other outfits, including previous Burnt Belief releases. 

To label it New Age would be a crime, but fans of this once thriving category will find much to love. The core of the relaxing, keen composing, and perfectly arranged titles makes for a recording to melt away with. My ears were not lost on the great taste of all involved making this either. Especially the ever thoughtful dynamic guitar performance of Jon Durant.  



  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 3 - 2 - 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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