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MOON MEN
3.5...The EP
(2019 - Handmaid Products - USA)

https://bhhstuff.bandcamp.com/album/moon-men-35-the-ep-2019-digital

Fans of this group may be either elated or puzzled, but the four tracks on this EP are crawling with early Mel Collins era King Crimson (specifically 'Lizard' and 'In The Wake Of Poseidon'), especially the first two extended cuts. Exotic explorations of Krautrock, Embryo jam, and stellar Canterbury liftoff follow on 'Lurching Herman', that will delight those fans. Brett Hart states this song "ponders the mysteries of Big Ugliness" and also that this song is older than their first full length CD, which begs a question of what other gems might be held back from older days.

Heavy use of sax, with keys, drums/percussion, round bass, equally embellishing guitar, and effects, the music presented here is all more extended than the usual tracks on their three CDs. A more jam approach is utilized and with grand success. I for one, am not only impressed, but on the roof cheering for more of this. While their 3rd CD (simply titled '3') showed distinct shades of this nostalgic space fuzz tripped out jam style (in fact, 'Waltzing Away From A Pickle' was a cut that got completed too late to make it on their 3rd release), and was the most cohesive platter of Moon Men's to date, this EP brings forth an even greater focus on that much missed genre, and my prediction is that this will bring more attention to them, and give due respect and awareness of their output. Moon Men no longer sound like a collage of many classic progressive and jazz rock bands, they are now becoming a method, a modus operandi with groove, and with music that sticks to your ribs for a good settling back and wandering off of the mind.

The low-key, sometimes lo-fi makeup of their recordings are to the benefit, which not only feels authentic to the era of this style, but also brings a softer and more laid back presentation. The organic atmosphere is pleasing, and that 'analog feel' is throughout. The music allows one to relax more and not be on guard so to say, on what might come next. Perhaps it is the state of the world, that causes this release to be so attractive, so happily accepted, but the content of '3.5...' speaks for itself, and surely is needed in the overproduced, way past cool factor technological world, and big brother mutha fukah place we call Earth. An EP it may be, but with over 30 minutes of music, it keeps focus and gives the audience a full aural experience. While I stated the music has become more jam oriented, it should not in any way suggest less structure, or patched together arrangements, because this disc is clearly thought out, accomplished, and an outcome of what Bret Hart (electric & acoustic guitars, Ebow, field recordings, Casio SK5, devices and electronics), Dave Newhouse (reeds and keyboards), Jerry King (basses, guitars, trombones), and Bill Jungwirth (drumming & percussion) with their decades of experience can do. In this listener's opinion, Moon Men have arrived. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.  
 
  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 12 - 20 - 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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