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DER FINGER
Le Cinque Stagnoni
(2019 - Toten Schwan Records - Italy)

https://derfinger.bandcamp.com/

https://totenschwan.bandcamp.com/album/tsr-106-le-cinque-stagioni

A very tribal, deep spiritual journey, otherworldly improvisation of treated bass guitar and effects (by Anton Efimov - a leading scientist in a bionanotechnology lab, as well as musician);  drums and saxophone (by Evgenia Sivkova - who is working on her PhD in astrophysics) ; and bass clarinet, sax, & bass domra  [a 4 string Russian folk instrument] (by Edward Sivkov - Evgenia's father, who has played on some previous Der Finger albums, and is a free jazz and avant-garde saxophonist). Both Anton and Evgenia graduated from Moscow Institute of Physics. From Russia, usually a duo, they sometimes bring in Edward, especially on live concerts. Der Finger (The Finger) have over 20 releases (including EP, live, studio) so far, and each has a concept and abundance of thought behind it.

The music on 'Le Cinque Stagnoni' was totally improvised and done live in the studio with no overdubs (same way all their recordings are performed). You will find some of it with characteristics of the Krautrock styles that explore multiple dimensions. The 5 pieces of music are based on the five seasons of 'Iluminati Calendar', talked about in Robert Anton Wilson novels 'Iluminatus' (the trilogy). The titles are the German names of these five seasons, each consisting of 73 days, which represent all of the natural and unnatural occurrences that went on in these cycles.

The compositions faithfully illustrate the possibilities with the changing seasons, mother nature and all the beauty, but also the chaos and destruction. Some passages are exotic and electro-ethnic, while other parts are groove oriented. Just when you think the song has a stability, it can change and go another place. Some influences can be related to the industrial movement (the band has worked with Nick Soudnick of ZGA, who was famous for part of the inception of this type music back in the 1980's), the ambient and the world trance, plus the experimental jazz world.

Der Finger were formerly playing in a drone jazz band called Wrist. Touches of this still remain (think The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble, and their other incarnation, The Mount Fuji Doomjazz Corporation). The special element of movement and taking the audience on a long but divided journey, is the attraction to Der Finger 'Le Cinque Stagnoni'. Ethno tunnel transportation with varied bass use, lots of percussion and sequences, and a free jazz wind creator; the sound stays thick, unpredictable, and full of life. That is the end result. The scientific mind, making concepts into musical experiences. For the ones who want a head trip, this is a grand specimen.

  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 6 - 15 - 2019     

 
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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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