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FLAT EARTH SOCIETY

Untitled # 0

(2018 – Igloo Records – BELGIUM)

https://www.fes.be/muziekEN.html#UNTITLED

An almost unbelievable 2018 double disc recording of a one of a kind, multi genre, ground breaking and incredible ‘big band’ founded by Peter Vermeersch in 1999. On this release, he composes 14 of the titles and band mate Peter Vandenberghe (who was also an important member of X-Legged Sally, and now Too Noisey Fishes) writes 3 and created an arrangement (being ‘Summertime’ by George Gershwin). With 15 members in all, ‘Untitled # 0’ is packed full of unrelentless, brisk, brave,  thrill seeking adventures, sometimes slinky, alternately atomic, suddenly friendly, then suspicious.

Formulated music puzzles that cannot be contained on one disc, and still overflowing with two, a few of the compositions have a low key surface (compared to what long time fans have grown to expect from FES), but when the listener reaches ‘Apes, Spies & Apps’ (track 3), the drive to sporadic and unknown encounters, does indeed make an entrance.  FES is rarely conservative and in an unfolding of 18 tunes, all the avant big band spin-round-the-room, cunning creations you have come to worship, are all alive and present. Musicians on this release are Peter Vermeersch – bass clarinet/compositions, Martí Melià – bass clarinet, Benjamin Boutreur – alto saxophone, Michel Mast – tenor saxophone, Bruno Vansina – baritone saxophone/flute, Thomas Mayade – trumpet, Bart Maris – trumpet, Peter Delannoye – trombone, Marc Meeuwissen – trombone, Berlinde Deman – tuba, Teun Verbruggen – drums/percussion, Peter Vandenberghe – piano/keys/compostions, Kristof Roseeuw – double bass, Pierre Vervloesem – guitar, and Wim Segers – vibraphone.

You may wish to turn your subwoofer (or bass, unless you have purists amp like mine) up on ‘Miss Man’s  Mist’ (track 4) for the jungle effects, and stirring piece of progressive jazz collage. Flat Earth Society stay true to their original intentions, with an embraced philosophy to make a different sort of art, and keep all constraints off the table. With inclusion of animation, mystery, dare devil pivots, carnival-like theatre, and experimental galore, the artists keep sinister plots to breach any number of boundaries, a firm routine. They use several eras of jazz music but the big band always design their own concoction of hop scotch, and have a sinfully gratifying time doing it. Their disregard for conventional form is your reward.

With each track the complications reveal themselves in spectacular fashion. Nearly 20 years together, FES generate music like the ultra fantastic well oiled outfit they have always been. It sounds effortless, however anyone with above average musical knowledge with music theory, hands on multiple instrument performance, and complex arrangements, will instantly know the extreme level of difficulty it takes to execute all this crowning achievement. No question that two fully packed discs are a great deal to listen to at one sitting, as it will drain you mentally (in a good way) but grow some new brain cells, and you will be the beneficiary in more ways than one. Get the physical CD and own a 3D front cover, with multi fold out digipak. A GIGANTIC RECOMMENDATION.

Reviewed by Lee Henderson 12 – 3 – 2018

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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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