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CASSINI FLYBY
Grand Finale
(2019 - Off Records - Belgium)

https://stilll-off.bandcamp.com/album/grand-finale

Spectacular mold breaking, impelling, and beautifully unpredictable. A unique jazz rock with one foot in the late 60's/early 70's space rock plus psychedelic roots, and the other foot in avant-garde improv and jazz exploration. Although recorded in April 2017 in Briston, London (except the guitar, which was in Bielefeld, Germany), this trio's 'Grand Finale' became a physical and official release in 2019, on the Belgium Off Records label. Tom Clarke (drums), Peter Marsh (bass & electronics) and Chris Jones (guitars) who are all veterans of London's improvisational/experimental music scene, came together back in 2016 with ideas of combining jazz, krautrock, Canterbury and electronica, all in a improvisational format. This recording is one of those, that if you don't know, appears to be partly composed, then presented to the other members to jam to. The outcome is both unusual and impressive. The trippy nature and the undeniable skill of these three musicians is immediately captivating.

Much of the music starts with either a bass line or guitar effects, then develops from there. The spontaneous part of allowing each other to just let go and create on the spot is what keeps the songs so sprite and full of life. Also the quick changes Clarke often makes on drums gives a sharp edge and frames extra directions for the other two to take. The band's name is based on the famous NASA spacecraft that made a miraculous voyage around some planets (Venus, Saturn were two), exploring the vast solar system. Of the many stages of the trip, the last and most stunning was called the 'Grand Finale'. So the whole album is a concept based on this historical mission. Easy to see where the space music style comes in.

Displaying the progressive banner and keeping a celestial atmosphere, the sometimes groove oriented krautrock influenced jams take on a life of their own. Nuances of everything from acid, post rock, cosmic jazz rock, and a big nod to Pink Floyd in their heyday with Sid Barrett, and some love for Jimi Hendrix, give Cassini Flyby a name to remember. 'Grand Finale' will take you back in time, but through several different lenses and dimensions of that said time. The sophistication of their jazz chops (specifically the drums) stretch the boundaries even further. The imaginative arrangements keep the listener guessing, and each piece is as strong as the one before it.

Two bonus tracks are included, and they both sound every bit like their belong, and are as fine as all the other tracks. Issued in a simple gatefold digipak with a limited edition of 200, there is not a lot about the band inside except credits, and a cool retro photo of the trio tells you a lot. The music speaks volumes. This group is truly inventive and a very capable jam outfit, who would surely be a great live show. They know how to stay creative and not sound the same on any two songs. They also make the listener feel a sense of 'lift off' with each cut. Hop aboard for a journey. This is their debut and let's hope not their last.

  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 1 - 10 - 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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