top of page
DEWA BUDJANA_Mahandini_COVER.jpg
DEWA BUDJANA
Mahandini
(2019 - MoonJune Records - USA)

https://dewabudjana-moonjunerecords.bandcamp.com/album/mahandini-hd

If you already know how great Dewa Budjana's music is, just imagine adding Jordan Rudess (keyboards), Marco Minnemann (drums), Mohini Dey (bass, konnakol), every step of the way with the master himself, Dewa Budjana (guitars, soundscapes), along with guests John Frusciante (vocals on 'Crowded' and  'Zone', and guitar fill on 'Crowded' coda), Mike Stern (1st guitar solo on 'ILW'), and Soimah Pancawati (lead vocal on 'Hyang  Giri').  If you buy the vinyl edition, you get a bonus track called 'Mahandini Acoustic', with additional musicians Dimawan Krisnowo (cello) and Adrian Muhammad (vibraphone). Seven songs (CD or download version) to break even the high water mark that Dewa has already established. A big gasp of breath. This is spectacular!

The expecting listener is contained and focused on the opening cut 'Crowded' with John Frusciante's grounded vocals. The surrounding musicianship is instantly recognized as top shelf. While songs of 'Mahandini' reach out as a more accessible project, to both world and fusion lovers, the calibre is peerless. A beautiful mixture of Holdsworthian explosion, big doses of Indonesian (where Dewa was born) knock out injections, and compositions to marvel at throughout. A sure Top Choice of 2019 for this writer, the priceless moments of this rare jewel are enough to bring about a speechlessness.

 Soimah Pancawati gives a flight of an angel vocal performance on 'Hyang Giri' (track 3). Dewa is generous to introduce new vocalists to the world. You soon realize the majestic and tremendous level of artistic skill these musicians are spreading over you. Mohini Dey pulls off some bass riffs in the realm of Jeff Berlin or Jimmy Johnson (fantastic bassist on Allan Holdsworth's 'Metal Fatigue' and more) and the likes. Most progressive rock devotees already know both Marco Minnemann and Jordan Rudess and their elite status. On the title cut 'Mahandini' (track 6) Minnemann displays one of his most earth shaking drum parts in all his career. Rudess is immaculate on every song, and Budjana performs his commanding soaring guitar work to perfection.

The combination of talent here is no holds barred, and all out onslaught in every great way possible. Solo number 11 is a winner. As with each offering by Budjana, the selections vary from high density world fusion to dreamy intoxication and gifts that don't leave your memory for months, or at all. Compositions arranged by illustrious  musicians who build castles in the sky, and leave them for audiences to imbibe, like one of a kind nectar produced by rare flowers. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
 
  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 2 - 27 - 2019
 

 
AQUA FRAGILE_Moving Fragments_COVER.jpg

© 2023 by Name of Site. Proudly created with Wix.com

 
 
BIG BEAUTIFUL NOISE
 

A  magazine focused on inventive, progressive, and creative music in any genre that stands out from the rest
​
​
​
​
Payments of any amount (all donations, no matter how small, are truly cherished) can be sent by PAYPAL  to:
drumlee@proton.me
​
This magazine exists on kind donations and music related advertisements (although the ads are limited and in no way accepted for favors in reviews). All funds are used to pay for website, domain, and the endless hours of work that is required to keep the reviews and various information  in process. Any donation is extremely appreciated. Thank you.
​
Donate with PayPal

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


 

bottom of page