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JOOST MAGLEV
Alter Ego
(2019 - Bad Elephant Music - UK)


https://joostmaglev.bandcamp.com/album/alter-ego

A masterpiece of dreamy progressive music that pulls the drawstrings on aggressive melodic pop and rock, then mirrors epic overtures into your ear canals. With nearly every particle of all the most attractive "progressive rock" icons over the last four decades, Joost presents 'Alter Ego' (what most will only know as his 2nd established label solo, however he has 'Prelude : a 10th anniversary of songs from 2002-2012' on CDr, and a duo with Scarlet Penta which was self released by him, and also was in Dutch band Equisa ‎ which only released 'Strange Release' - no label, 2013 and 2 of the members from that band give Joost a helping hand on this new solo). With a distinguished guest list of people like Annie Haslam, this 6 panel solo is released in full vivid audio rainbow dazzling certainty. Only goodness exists, with hardy nods to Queen, 10CC, Kayak, and a consummate solution of classic and eccentric music that also has touches of Rush and precision like Genesis.

Joost Maglev (real name Joost Doesburg, and from The Netherlands) has hit it out of the park this time. Guest musicians are: Mark Bogert – guitar (5)/ David Clarkson – drums (6)/ Valensia Clarkson – instruments, backing vocals (6)/ Ben Craven – guitars (3, 7)/ Marie Doesburg – vocals (1, 9), Annie Haslam – vocals (4), Sebas Honing – guitars (4, 7)/ Arjen Anthony Lucassen – guitars (4)/ Stefan Maas – drums (2, 3, 4, 5. 7, 8)/ Joop de Rooij – piano (8)/ Faried Verheul – guitars (2, 8)/ and the main man Joost Maglev – vocals and instruments (see booklet for details of musicians on each song). All composed, produced and arranged by Joost Maglev, except track 6 produced and arranged by Valensia Clarkson.

As the songs move, at no warning, an elect fanciful tune comes to tickle your ears. This all over the map technical marvel, with expansive composition, passion, at once intense then elegant, hugs the listener with it's sincerity. Rich with 12 string Anthony Phillips style guitar, lush with strings that could have been done by Pim Koopman (RIP) from Kayak, and so full of head spinning delights, heart throbbing ballads that are intertwined with complex passages, and bridges that connect yet another smart set of measures, you will say yes, it is that fantastic! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 5 - 16 - 2019


 
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A  magazine focused on inventive, progressive, and creative music in any genre that stands out from the rest
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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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