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MPH
Taxonomies
(2019 - Discus Music - UK)

https://discusmusic.bandcamp.com/album/taxonomies-87cd

A deceivingly splendid recording of totally improvised pieces done live in the studio over a two day period, that often fools the listener into being certain the music was previously composed and rehearsed. But that is the measuring stick of great musicians who can come together, play on the fly, and create magic. This is precisely what the trio MPH did here. And the fact that the three have never played together (Maguire had played individually each with Pyne and Hewins, but none of them all together as one band) before makes it an even more remarkable.

From ethereal adventure, exotic journey (not too far from Oregon, various ECM outfits, and high-end ambient fusion bands), psychedelic impetus, avant jazz (Keith Tippett and early company, outer limit jazz), playful encounter, starlight escapades, tilted thresholds, all in contemplative theater, 'Taxonomies' gifts all of those and beyond. If indeed there was a proposition, the three musicians here may have established that they would open the floodgates to allow anything, and for all brain cells to work in unison, to make a masterpiece. The declaration was achieved.

Nothing is stationary, but all is a steady revolution around an axis, that moves either suddenly with alarm, slowly and carefully, and/or spasmodic with suggestion. All with intention and lyrical dissolve. After one listen, it is obvious that these three artists have great patience, to let the impromptu music flow as it will, and take its place, in a rightful order, no matter what the urge might have tried to suggest otherwise. Alex Maguire - piano / Hammond organ, Martin Pyne - vibraphone / drums / percussion / electronics, and Mark Hewins - guitars / electronics, make a fascinating debut release together.

The first session was with Alex (the man who suggested this project) playing mainly Hammond organ. The second day was with him on acoustic piano. Mark performed digital slide guitar and electronics, and Martin took on vibraphone and electronics, drums, and Wave drum on day one. Then on second session, Mark played jazz guitar and electronics, while Martin handled acoustic vibraphone with or without treatments, and percussion. Spots of the jazz guitar give off shades of Ralph Towner/Bill Frisell, yet so many substantial influences exist to pin down anything broad.  

The titles of the works are inspired by various flora and fauna, sich as 'False Jasmine', 'Meadowsweet', 'Purple Loosestrife', and 'Sally Lightfoot'. The names are to suggest "timeless narrative, characters, landscapes and mindscapes." This they do, in full bloom. The catholic palette of settings from lazy daydreaming to rippling directions, and exotic chance, provides the audience with a series of short films for the ears and imagination. 'Taxonomies' is very curious, distinguished and inventive.

  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 12 - 03 - 2019
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BIG BEAUTIFUL NOISE
 

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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