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KIT WATKINS
Field of View
(2019 - self release - USA)

https://kitwatkins.bandcamp.com/album/field-of-view

A beautiful beginning to this escape from his ambient projects, bringing back more of his earlier sound. Kit Watkins starts the recording off with a cover of Camel's (Peter Bardens) 'Spirit of the Water' (which was off their 1976 'Moonmadness' album). May I state that this is even better than the original, with Kit singing the vocals. Mellow heaven for sure.

Coming down from this surprise nostalgia (remember that Watkins was once the keyboardist for Camel), the listener is given six other compositions. In agreement with the mood set by the first tune, the following tracks savor the same gentle airy and peaceful feeling. 'Legato Paramecium' is all instrumental.  'Life After Truth' has musical voice with an almost Perigeo (Italian jazz fusion outfit) feel, along with some hints of Paul Winter Consort or Rob Mounsey's Flying Monkey Orchestra, in its ethnic beauty. The multi part voicing is glorious.

Happy The Man fans may be thrilled or on the fence, depending on their age, as Watkins has grown too. But if someone is looking for classic Happy The Man, you best go back to the first two releases of that said band and enjoy. This album blends a solid world influence with what we bought and loved back in the 1970's and beyond. A time when jazz and progressive music, along with the rock and folk world were coming together in a joyful way. In short, this music is filled with celebration and spirit.  The musicians are: Kit Watkins (vocals, keys, bass, wind synthesizer, percussion), Forrest Young (drums & percussion -tracks 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8), Bill Smith (assorted percussion - tracks 2, 4), and Greg Moreau (ebow guitar - track 4).

An album of gentle and classic focused bliss. The last cut (title track 'Field of View') brings to mind a pleasant drift of Fripp & Eno 'Evening Star'. Age may have mellowed Kit but this resonance has wings and the place it puts the listener is welcome relief from our dysfunctional world. A polished gem, full of life and warmth. A perfect blend of intimate plunge and pathos.

  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 2 - 15 - 2020
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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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