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KAVUS TORABI
Hip To The Jag
(2020 - Believers Roast - UK)

https://kavustorabi.bandcamp.com/album/hip-to-the-jag

A contender for 2020 album of the year, for the something out of the galaxy and away from the commercial muck music seekers. What celestial teapot taxi passengers could discover is a hybrid Steve Hillage/wave blowing offshoots of Roy Harper at his most sky gazing mode/exploring orbits of what Cardiacs and family tree people could and might do/harmonium soaked haunting folk laboratory/La Monte Young/and blissful combinations of 60's psychedelic gardens of Bosch's earthly delights, along with what one could bet Syd Barrett or certainly Tim Smith (who he previously has produce his earlier works such as The Monsoon Bassoon, and who Kavus worked with in Cardiacs at a certain period) would have loved to produce if they could today. I am also sure both giants would cheer this music on.

Very cozy and filled with rainbow melodies, hooks, and floating connective pieces, 'Hip To The Jag' is a masterpiece of mysteries which draw the listener into a soft vortex of loveliness. I'd have to write another six pages to cover all of Torabi's discography but if one only knows about his work with Cardiacs, Knifeworld, Guapo, and Gong, then as guest on dozens of releases by acts such as Karda Estra, North Sea Radio Orchestra, Chrome Hoof, and Bob Drake (there are so many more), then the ear full you get on this, his 2nd official solo release (he did an EP before but this is a full length), will be all that is needed. He performs all instruments (voice, harmonium, guitars, effects, Starsail) on this release except for a spot with Sima Torabi on bells ('Where the Eyeless  Walk').

This album brings forth both the supernatural and the sharing of inner soul searching, along with funny bone taps. There is a sordid spell throughout which no open mind can evade. As crucial listeners hear all these echoes and latitudes, there is scale to be absorbed. One enormous name I must mention is Robert Wyatt. In a most impudent manner, I suggest this brainchild album could be a subconscious epitaph of a last audio present from the true spirits of Mr Robert Wyatt, Daevid Allen, Syd Barrett, and Tim Smith. This is a solid gold mountain of mind bending imagination, and one I feel is all a great credit to Kavus Torabi. Not just brilliant, but gushing with new life, old soul, and magic that only a tiny handful of musicians ever grasp and are able to reproduce. A kind of propulsion that rarely comes your way.

Early birds, depending on the merchant they bought from, got either an autographed cover or signed A5 print of the album cover, along with CD or LP. Kavus did the writing, recording, mixing, and artwork. This is a recording you just need to buy and listen to, rather than me tell you what each song sounds like. Simple as that. GIGANTIC RECOMMENDATION.

  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 6 - 13 - 2020)
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BIG BEAUTIFUL NOISE
 

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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