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MARK WINGFIELD & GARY HUSBAND_Tor & Valo
MARK WINGFIELD & GARY HUSBAND
Tor & Vale
(2019 - MoonJune Records - USA)

https://markwingfield-moonjune.bandcamp.com/album/tor-vale-hd

A rare collusion of a guitar magician (Mark Wingfield - guitar, soundscape) and an already famous drummer, who can play piano every bit as well (Gary Husband). From the first bar and every note throughout, there is an adventurous spirit forming and sprinkling forth splendor for the ears. While all of the 8 pieces on 'Tor & Vale' have a extemporized glow, it may very well surprise many that only tracks 04, 05, and 07 are spontaneous improvisations betwen the duo. The other works were written by Mark Wingfield (who along with Leonardo Pavkovic, also produced the recording). Wingfield also mixed and mastered the project.  The actual manifestation of the album took place at the beautiful (in so many ways) La Casa Murada studios, Banyeres del Penedés, Catalunya, Spain (if you read my interview with Leonardo, you will see this is his very favorite place to work in).

The music here has urges, sometimes even a nomadic energy, and often a capacity for nearly anything to occur within the canvas. Oddly, Gary Husband is so much more known for one of the finest fusion drummers in the business, but here he shows the world how good he is on the ivories. Wingfield who continues to impress the world, throws shapes similar and sometimes farther than the legendary giants such as Terje Rypdal, Allan Holdsworth, and David Torn (as I have previously compared him to a collision of all three of those master guitarists). With no doubt about the chemistry between this pair, their broad experiences with both music styles and skill sets, gave instant credence to just the idea alone, that a project such as this could succeed. And as the listener will witness (if you are smart enough to buy this and spend secluded time with it), the achievement was abundant.

The outstanding booklet that comes with the glossy physical gatefold digipak (always highly suggested and collected by this author) has mucho details about the compositions. I will refrain from repeating it all and let the music lover read it all when they purchase it. The entire package is excellent. Between the ear catching and the overflowing fashion of Wingfield's creation of sounds on guitar, and the highly talented (and even mesmeric) demonstration of Husband's piano genius, you have two greats at work.

   ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 8 - 9 - 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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