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Clearlight 
Impressionist Symphony
(2014 - Gonzo Multimedia – UK)

 

[it may be of interest to read my interview with

Cyrille Verdeauz under INTERVIEWS]

http://www.clearlight888music.com/
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/

Latest Clearlight project by the supreme Cyrille Verdeaux is outstanding and not to be missed. Bringing back original band mates from debut “Clearlight Symphony” (1974) With Gong’s Didier Malherbe, Steve Hillage and Tim Blake. Also appearing are Paul Sears (drummer for The Muffins), Linda Cushma, Chris Kovax, Craig Fry, Vincent Thomas-Penny and Remy Tran. This sweet line up affords Cyrille to give the listener a very expansive sound with often lush to pastoral moments, then powerful jazz fusion hybrid passages. Fans from the 70’s may recognize a nice spread of stylings that could be seen as influences from all of Clearlight’s previous releases but a substantial classical backbone exists throughout. This is fitting since the concept of the recording is specific music composed for both the visual and audio impressionists of France. You can imagine the music being quite beautiful and you’d be correct.

Some of the glory days are present with plenty of glissando guitar from Hillage, tubular bells by Don Falcone, celestial synthesizers by Tim Blake and Remy Tran, and of course piano, string ensemble and more by Mr. Verdeaux. “Impressionist Symphony” also has a mature and present day sound using influence from classical composers like Ravel, Satie, and Debussy. The merging of cosmic and classical has been a trademark of Verdeaux’s. There were a couple of moments, especially in “Gauguin Dans L’Autre” (track 6) where I heard similarities to David Bedford’s gorgeous “Instructions For Angels”. Simply spellbinding! In my opinion, this is worth the price of the CD alone. Another stunner is “Lautrec Too Loose” (track 7) which features just three people, but be prepared to hear supreme gliss guitar (also fine acoustic guitar) by Vincent Thomas-Penny, cosmic synth perfection by Remy Tran, and the rest by Master Verdeaux. Clearlight full blown by a trio!

The final cut is just a duo (“Monet Time”) which lacks nothing, ends perfectly, and gives off love with piano and violin oh so beautifully. Can it be? The fewer people playing the better it kept getting? Perhaps this is the true blood from the heart of Cyrille Verdeaux. Recommended!

Reviewed by Lee Henderson – April 1, 2015

AQUA FRAGILE_Moving Fragments_COVER.jpg

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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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