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LOOMINGS
Hey Weirdo!
(2019 - Soleil Mutant - France)

https://loomings.bandcamp.com/

Just over 52 minutes in 11 songs, giving the listener even more variety, sheer inventiveness, unique  avant-Garden of Eden, a fine dose of quirkiness that bobbles from Zappa, Transister (R. J. Stips fame), and Nick Mason's "Fictitious Sports", and that is all in just cuts 1-5. All in superb formation, composed in perfection, singing and chattering between male and female vocalists, beautifully spread vibes ala Pierre Moerlen's Gong (RIP Pierre), and even more so like Benoit Moerlen (Pierre's younger brother and exceptional vibraphone player). A bit less aggressive then their debut 'Everyday Mythology' (2015) only in that 'Hey Weirdo!' is more refined and smooth much of the time.

Jacopo Costa (vibes, drums, samples, drum & synthesizer programming, and vocals) is the mastermind of this savory release (and the band itself), who is an Italian musician who relocated to France. Some may know him from his work with Yugen, Camembert, Factor Burzaco, Empty Days, and Not a Good Sign. With Loomings, on this 2nd release, he also composed, arranged, and produced everything except 'Cerchi'' (which includes theme of 'Central Park West' by John Coltrane. Also 'Maphia Migrante' is noted in the title track 'Hey Weirdo', as including a sample from a unreleased album by Alessio Vitale.
 
Much respect and adoration for Costa being a drummer/percussionist/composer/multi platform musician, and one can tell the exquisite rhythmic and floral arrangements were done by such. Helping him make this supreme recording were: Maria Denami - voice / Clara Weil - voice / Nils Boyny - keyboards / Nicolas Klee - bass / Enrico Pedicone - vibraphone, drums, acoustic and electronic percussion / Romain Muller - sound engineer / and guest musicians: Bertrand Eber - trumpet / Nicolas Jean - trombone / JB Juszczak - alto sax / Paul Schwartz - tenor sax / and lastly, Remi Psaume - baritone sax.

By song 6, ('Hypnotic') things get a bit more serious with what could be imagined as a mix of theatrical jazz of what Mantler, Carla Bley, and even parts of Annette Peacock blended with a more jazz/earnest Catherine Jauniaux and Dagmar Krause, with the jolly Gruppo Sportivo might sound like, all blended together. The two female vocalists Maria Denami and Clara Weil make sure of of that (who are not only classically trained, but dominate the vocal department here, only sharing occasional male vocals with Jacopo Costa himself. Just as a song establishes a style, a distinct change in character may occur. 'Cerchi' begins with a solo piano, then adds vibes, for the first all instrumental cut on the platter. As mentioned, this includes the Coltrane theme. What a wonderful change of mood, and as soothing as can be. But watch out for some absurdity in brilliant colors with the next (and title) track 'Hey Weirdo!'. Back to the all so incredible Zappa/R. J. Stips/Slapp Happy and beyond world. A killer composition in that French/Italian avant-garde rock that never ceases to amaze and delight.

The richness continues on the following two cuts. Then with a striking Robert Wyattish ending 'Wonder and Delusion' (track #11), where Costa begins with vocals, then gives the way to a continued masterful basket of pure gold. It truly brings the house to its feet and demands endless applause. In fact, the entire album is instantly on my TOP CHOICES of 2019 list. Looming have stepped up the high ladder on their 2nd offering (and their first one was great), with painstaking devotion to making an unforgettable and magnificent opus. EXTREMELY RECOMMENDED.

   ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 5 - 25 - 2019
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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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