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FOLKNERY

Son

(2018 – self release — Ukraine)

https://folknery.bandcamp.com/album/son

This is the second full length recording from Ukrainian world ethnic fusion duo who are a sure love for Dead Can Dance fans and groups like Vas. The two are Yaryna Kvitka (vocals) and Volodymyr Muliar (drums, percussion, taishogoto, wooden flute, keyboards, backing vocals). Muliar also does the recording and engineering. Folknery came up with their name by using a hybrid of American writer William Faulkner and the term folklore.  It is fitting as this outstanding mix of music brings forth sprightly nuances, dreamy imagery, and exotic atmosphere in large helpings. One other artist they remind me of is early Dadawa (a Chinese female singer Zhu Zheqin , using the stage name Dadawa) , with their soaring vocals and soul stirring melody lines, often either with a sacred hushed indigenous framework or an epic heavenly wingspan.

What sets Folknery apart from all the others is their inclusion of playfulness, wide borders, gorgeous frequent use of cinematic flight, and endless avenues they travel to give a multi dimensional aural delight. Their adventurous composing and arranging are impeccable and the beauty is so unyielding, you sit in a trance the entire listening. Most of all, the two create inventive music, which is the best kind, in a world where generic music ruins the eardrums and minds of millions.

Folknery released their debut ‘Useful Things’ back in 2013, but it is released in digital format listed as 2017 on Bandcamp. The physical compact disc still floats around some sources and is more than worth your time and investment.  Although Yaryna mostly sings in authentic early traditional Ukrainian, she breathes new life from various other world music into the pieces. With plenty of rich instrumentation, natural sounds, dynamic changes, grand touches, spirited rhythms, and their own brand of free folk, the audience is never kept waiting for anything.

This is truly one of the finest world music recordings I have ever heard. With all sorts of influences, and a sound steeped in ancient and modern echoes all at once, I was left in a calm, clear, and happy state of mind. The result of what these two musicians produced, is your reward in more than just a great listening experience. It is a cleansing of the stress, recklessness, insomnia, and worn out condition many people feel in this out of control world. I cannot recommend ‘Son’ enough. It is rare that I feel like a new person after listening to a recording, but on this, I did.

Reviewed by Lee Henderson 10 – 1 – 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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