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DER FINGER
Medizin
(2019 - Noise Up - Russia)

https://derfinger.bandcamp.com/

https://noiseup.bandcamp.com/album/medizin

As a core duo consisting of Anton Efimov (guitar, bass, effects) and Evgenia Sivkova (saxophones, drums, clarinets, voice, trumpet, mandolin, effects), sometimes enlisting Evgenia's father Edward Sivkov (clarinets, saxophones, bass-domra), the Russian experimental group Der Finger has always taken interesting subject matter and transformed it to musical interpretations. This album 'Medizin' (Medicine) is as adventurous as ever with their dark introspection of thoughts from Hippocrates, having to do with the doctrine of diseases, They are divided between external and internal. Causes of external being seasons of the year, weather, and terrain. Internal ones are related to human actions, habits, diet etc. The eight pieces on 'Medizin' explore these things or conditions.

Still the unique formula of industrial, ritualistic, noise rock, dark ambient, free jazz, electronics, and musique concrete, are used to make this wake up music. The patience and attention to detail pays off to the listener, but do not expect this to be an easy listen. In the development of many of the works, the sometimes obscure changes are the most enticing parts of the journey you take. The elements of avant-garde brilliance like was on so many Made To Measure releases and the early 1980's Extreme label come to mind as comparisons. Also, some of the dark jazz influences seep in. The duo are scientists and the creations they make are thinking people's music. Mature music lovers of experimental output may recall   Ilitch (aka Thierry Muller) of the 1970's, a French artist whose works can also be a reference of Der Finger. Perhaps not so abrasive or mind numbing.

In this instance, quite a lot of horror movie soundtrack atmosphere is involved. In fact, I could see this album being such a OST, and a very good one. There is also a distinct space age or alien characteristic here. So sci-fi fans take notice. Hearing and knowing about several previous recordings by Der Finger, I get what they do. Their hallucinogenic music may give one shivers in spots, but the artful way they arrange is trenchant and extraordinary in content. Yes at times bestial, but imaginative and highly interesting for avant-garde fans. To know Der Finger improvise all these pieces on the spot is another level of respect. The skill to do such is uncommon, and what makes the music so important and ingenious. Thank you Anton for the CDr.

  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 2- 21 - 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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