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Dario Elia
Vie Impervie
(2009 -  VesnaHaus - Italy)

 

 

 

 

I saw Dario Elia play live at Lucid Jazz Lounge (Seattle, WA) back on August 2, 2012, where he fronted the band Sugar Pants (jazz band) to play his own brand of music. I spoke with him before the gig and got a copy of his debut solo ‘Vie Impervie’ to review. There is much to hear in his music that ranges from a meditative nature to sound installation, jazz hybrid, avant garde explorations, and unexpected twists from one mood to another. His music has mixes of spiritual walkabout, deconstruction, sampling, ebb and flow, plus miles of notes allowing the words to stay free from the possible prison of the music. He’s been compared to everyone from David Sylvian, Brian Eno, Mike Patton, Bjork, Fripp, Tuxedomoon and Meredith Monk. With the variety of musicians (specifically the three other guest vocalists) used on his recording, it stretches further in comparisons to my ears across the 9 tracks. I’d compare some elements of Dario’s music to many on the Lovely Music label in those glorious experimental word and music days. Also, the extended vocal technique of his Italian homeland artists like Claudio Milano. His music is like cheese, any way you slice it, it’s good.

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Dario was most concerned with the realization to play these compositions live, and so were the band members. The title of the work gives insight as to the music’s birth and passage. “Vie” means ways, and can be applied either as a physical path, or means, as to a suggested solution to the problem at hand. "Impervie" means impervious or trackless, to suggest the ambiguity of the material or the metaphorical. The tunes are laid out like mini soundtracks for the mind. You have some instances of operatic influence, ambient, and even a mutated post rock styling. The use of computer on stage allows the transition of the studio to the live performance, although the visuals are projected on the back wall, the audience may try to imagine what a whole band presentation would be like. There is no question in this day and time, that Dario has the right combination for traveling and playing gigs around the world.

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I think people who like Mark Hollis and the founders of the more ethereal ambient jazz pop would love this CD. I found the bulk of the music unearthly and very cerebral. With the first song you get propelled along, with a true feeling of other things going on around you, while you move forward. With it’s eastern drift, it soothes the soul. The 2nd track has the same low-key way, but is even more delicate, along the lines of Stefano Panunzi and that beautiful style. One can hear similar music in some of the early Japan offshoots like Rain Tree Crow. The one thing I found that stands out as his own stamp is his vocal work. While much is gentle and tender, there are occasional eruptions of passion. Sigur Ros fans will love track 3 ‘Sol’ for it’s off this planet and dual vocal parts (one child like, the other calming adult) echoing with additional soft spoken word. At the end, there is also spoken word by the child and a last bit of laughter by children. It’s very beautiful to say the least. Track 4 is where the Italian version of David Sylvian really shows up. With a classical piano part, and feathery music backdrop with that serene voice, the stops and starts that give that perfect anticipation, it glows and grows with each listen. Right on the back of that, track 5 takes you into another cocoon, but this time has some playful jazz and stretches of ambiance, more cinema, and more introspective music. ‘Fra Noi’ (track 6) has the most contrast with a quasi funk body alternating with a 60's soundtrack feel, including a fluid lead guitar solo along the borders of Steve Hillage. Quite nice! The end section of the song has a more jamming quality than the rest of the entire release, with different looks at the funk, jazz, ambient, and vintage soundtrack styles.

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It’s one high quality song after another. Not one weak or even close to dull cut to be found. Lovers of David Sylvian and that ilk will be most pleased with this. Most of the music has a peaceful atmosphere to it but it also has subtle power especially with the bass in songs like ‘Tre Anime’. The distinctions of wispy effects and main instrumental parts are brilliantly arranged. The whole package is wonderful and full of life. Those paths and architectures that Dario used to make this, sure did find their rightful place. This studio recording is super and I only wish Dario could have had his own band to perform when I saw him at the Zero G concert series. It was nice, but not close to the magic that was made on this

recording. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

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Reviewed by Lee Henderson on November 20th, 2012

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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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