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MAP 71
Blood Fruit
(2023 - Foolproof Projects - UK)

https://map71.bandcamp.com/album/blood-fruit

Quite striking forward thinking spacy compositions that bring back the fondest memories and create new ideas in a hybrid blueprint of Laurie Anderson, 80's cold wave/electronic art pop, experimental psychedelia, Anne Clark (British musical poet - she has many releases but as reference of an early album try 'Joined Up Writing '), a more diverse industrial tribal musical ensemble, and various abstract and explorers on the Extreme label (Muslimgauze, Soma, Pablo's Eye, Mo Boma, etc). Listeners can catch some of the more trippy post punk sounds (music wise) of The Monochrome Set or The Passage (1980's UK band) in spots.

Many other universal time travelers over the last six decades show up in the smart collages of music MAP 71 make. The sum of sounds is what will make the person doing a deep listen to 'Blood Fruit' (or any of the group's output) get full satisfaction and a strong sense they have heard something different from the norm, to state it lightly. A surprising amount of moods, shades, and shapes of cool, gloomy, celestial, haunting, and blissful themes adorn this album.  The vocals are partly spoken in a very lyrical method (re: the references to Anne Clark and Laurie Anderson) however there is just as much singing from Jayne. Pyne uses a good deal of the keyboard work in a very percussive way, as well as some wizardry in generating celestial trip-zone effects. The most important thing is that the members are all brainy with their instruments. This makes a huge difference in a haphazard noise making band verses a creative cerebral found art outfit like these two have formed. They are not overly consumed with technology, and have a very appealing organic mind set about them. That is special these days.

  MAP 71 are Lisa Jayne  (lyrics, vocals, cymbal and dagger, artwork) who has done all the art for the covers and inside booklets/layouts for the six albums, and Andy Pyne (drums, percussion, synths, electronics), with special guests on 'Mandrake Sutra' by Dan Cox (vocals), and Al Strachan (cornet and electronics).  This being their sixth album, the duo of Lisa and Andy formed the outfit in 2013 with their self titled debut. Among the releases are plenty of powerful tunes that do a wonderful job of painting musical portraits in your mind, and stories that keep one listening attentively. 'Blood Fruit' may be seen by fans as their best yet. Be sure to read the interview I did with them (MAP71) that has a good deal of information relating to this album and more.

  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 5 - 20 - 2023

 
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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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