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MATA ATLANTICA
Retiro e Ritmo
(2022 - 7D Media - USA)


https://markusreuter7d.bandcamp.com/album/retiro-e-ritmo


And  for  more  details  about recording  check  here:


https://www.markusreuter.com/mata-atlantica

  "This album was inspired by my trip to Bahia, to the coastal rainforest of Brazil, the Mata Atlântica, an ecoregion even richer in species than the Amazon, but of which more than 90% is destroyed, and the rest is highly fragmented. The beauty and lushness of this nature, its colors and its sounds, its wildness, but also its vulnerability, have never left me since. Its diversity and complexity have inspired us to create this musical homage. From contributions of many wonderful musicians my friend Markus Reuter has created this manifold collage, a sonic biotope, which tries to do justice to the magic of this region. We are part of nature, it is part of us. Let us respect what sustains us! Let‘s protect what we love!" — Mathias Derer


 This gorgeous release brings  back wonderful memories and moments of those unique tropical  fusion  albums of the 1970's by Flora  Purim, Airto Moreira (Flora's husband), and OPA,  with a  distinct  modern  upgrade of  ambient and eclectic ingredients. Plus you  get  a  premium  variety  of female  vocalists and contributions from one superb group  of musicians.  'Retiro e Ritmo' is a very different beast created mainly by Markus Reuter and a mass of artists that satisfied the needs of this masterpiece.  Neither soundtrack, landscape work, ambient field, or lo-fi drill, this is more of a broken mirror with shards of prism sparking off each other, collecting to cuddle your ears in approach, with a partly safe trek thru multiple jungles, and trails in the Brazilian greenscapes of the globe - with an  added sprinkle of  stardust to tickle even the most savage taste.  From dusk to dawn revealing.  A brisk travel and a long stretch all inclusive.  There is foundation but multiples of freedom flight as well. That is a grand thing indeed.


A select group of artists fulfill the magic and dream-like sounds created on 'Retiro e Ritmo' that reads as : Markus Reuter: Synthesizers, Samples, Treatments, Soundscapes, Field Recordings/ Tobias Reber: Electronic Rhythms/ Raphael Preuschl: Basses/ Gary Husband: Keyboards/ Andi Pupato: Percussion/ Brian Krock: Saxophones and Flute/ Luca Calabrese: Pocket Trumpet/ Aralee Dorough: Flute/ Colin Catwood: Oboes/ Charlotte Pelgen: Vocals/ Zoey Gley: Vocals/ Graça Cunha: Vocals/ Lisa Fletcher: Vocals/ Deborah Carter Mastelotto: Vocals/ Pat Mastelotto: Voice/ Markus Mauthe: Field Recordings/ Christian Wolff: Field Recordings. Some may know Lisa Fletcher from the perfectionist sound engineer and producer Lee Fletcher (his wife) and be sure to note the other gorgeous vocalists that decorate this sombre yet soothing release, that works as a stimulus and a tranquil tonic of a work all swayed  to  ecstasy.  Relative information is that Lee Fletcher did the mastering of this joy.  Other creators are: Executive producer: Mathias Derer/ Mixed by Stefano Castagna at Ritmo & Blu Studio.


 Most certainly an exotic journey of musical majesty but the avant-garde touches and care to keep it all so alive, are what makes the album glow among others from the past or present. Jaw dropping bass lines (thank you Markus Reuter) and an unparalleled mix of the alluring parts in each composition, keep the listener equally deep green surfing tangled jungle and then sky blue explosion. The end product sends off a huge vapor of not only love for the life and passion for this opportunity to create this fusion of a most revered music, but also a gladness of a chance to place it in the hands of everyone in the world. The energy is obvious, and the recording shows all the bones, blood, and  innards of art mixed with a dedicated  intent.  Success is a wonderful thing.  So rare but it is what the lucky listener gets with this most stimulating release.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED~~  

©Reviewed by Lee Henderson  12 - 28 - 2022


 

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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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