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DEEP ENERGY ORCHESTRA_The Return_COVER.j
DEEP ENERGY ORCHESTRA
The Return
(2020 - 7D Media - USA)

https://deepenergyorchestra.bandcamp.com/album/the-return

The first bars of music dance with instant changes, and excitement closer to classic eastern fusion such as Mahavishnu Orchestra, who once spun audiences in a state of euphoria. On this sophomore release by Jason Everett's Deep Energy Orchestra 'The Return', it is more like return to blow you away! The complexity here compared to the debut ('Playing With Fire') is likely to astound people. The 16:55 four part tour de force ('Moksha: The Elimination of All Duality')  with 'The Village', 'The Battle', 'The Journey' and 'The Return' is startling in not only composition, but in the quantity of ideas, textures, plus rapid transitions packed in with brilliant arrangement. This is the new fusion of 2020. White hot!

I was ready to take a break after that opeming door buster, but what would come next? 'Zyryab' is a cover of Paco del Lucia, with a beautiful Spanish flamenco spirit, both nimble and graceful. Quite a nice piece with plenty still going on, especially the acoustic guitars. Things get bold and big again with 'Call of Kali', with the feel of a giant marching through the thick forest, taking down bushes and trees or anything in his way. The process of the visionary work is further accented by some killer drums by Don Gunn (I checked with Jason and there is no relation between Don and Trey Gunn, in case that jumped into your mind as it did mine). 'Grapes For Khan' is an adaption from 'Raga Mishra Kafi' by Ali Akbar Khan. Absolutely glorious.

'Resolve' has a crisp rhythm with some hermetic, yet smooth and quick bass solo work. Also some dazzling tabla by Anil Prasa and great electric guitar by Fareed Haque. Featured members on this second platter are: Featured artists on the record include, Fareed Haque (Billy Cobham, Zawinal Syndicate), V. Selvaganesh (Shakti with John McLaughlin), Trey Gunn (King Crimson), Neyvili Radhakrishna (Jonas Hellborg), Ujwal Nagar (Advaita), Suhail Yusuf Khan, and the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra. Jason Everett performs on 7-string fretless bass, 6-string acoustic bass, and composes all music except the mentioned covers. The bass work and especially the solos are outstanding. Jason has upped his activity on 'The Return', as well as composed far more involved pieces. In short, his bass player has been taken up a few notches, and so has his writing skills. Many other guests appear to make this a full blown success.

For the last track 'Mysterious World', the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra appears. This gets epic. With runs and riffs galore, along with orchestral grandeur, the ending of the album leaves you shaking your head with glee. 'The Return' never lets up with one strength after another, and true display of higher up skill. Much of the music is simply stunning. If you buy the physical compact disc, the story of the opening masterpiece is explained, and package comes in 6 panel fold out with more critical info inside. This makes my TOP CHOICES of 2020 list right away. MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

   ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson  2 - 29 - 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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