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NIKOLOV_IVANOVIC UNDECTET_Frame And Curi
NIKOLOV - IVANOVIC UNDECTET
(Featuring Magic Malik)
Frame And Curiosity
(2019 - Coolabel - France)
[USA marketing by Moonjune Records]

https://horatiosmarketplace.bandcamp.com/album/frame-and-curiosity-hd

An 11 piece ensemble including multi-generation musicians from Serbia and France, this collection of music is also boundless in styles and infusions, taking broad strokes of Balkan, varied jazz fusion, world beat, and sometimes including classical, bits of rock, and new music, in very creative ways. The directions often change at the corners, giving the listener a treat to the mind. They can swing and kick, push and pull, sprint and pace at odd meters, in a multi-layered piece, or in a shorter chain of songs.

With the addition of Malik Mezzadri (known to most as Magic Malik) on flute and vocals, the instrumentation is further enhanced and extends the group to a 12 piece on this recording. It should be clarified that rather than 'vocals' we can define Malik's participation as voice, in which he does a wonderful job on 'Far Away' (track #8) and 'Memories' (track #10). The other members are:  Vladimir  Nikolov (piano, compositions, arrangements), Srdan Ivanovic (drums, compositions), Luka Ignjatovic (alto sax), Kristijan Mlacak (tenor sax), Dorde Kujundzlc (baritone sax), Marko Dordevic (trumpet, flugelhorn), Teodor Blagojevic (French horn), Vladimir Veres (trombone), Milos Budimirov (tuba), Mihail Ivanov (bass), and Noe Clerc (accordion). The mix of so many  instruments allows many colors to exist in the composition. The entire performance is superb.

This Undectet sounds as a big band and rotates from that style through traditional jazz and all the aforementioned genres. Always up and bright, the frisky jazz pieces waste no time juggling thru paths and drifts of exciting time signatures. Nice portions of slow to moderate tempo grace the 11 works (67:44 minutes). Lots of influences from classic jazz greats as both the brass and winds do exciting solos, and Nikolov (keys and guitar) and Ivanovic (drums, percussion) add both spine and elegant touches to all the arrangements. Much of the compositions are by Nikolov, and the three by Ivanovic (tracks 3,7,8) are all with old school charm, yet some spring forth with modern invention, even with traces of Canterbury (especially 'Anonymous' - track #5). And in a nice resting place, 'Carefree' (track #6) begins with acoustic guitar, then leads to a soft but spirited jazz excursion. I often hear some of the Elton Dean Ninesense on the horn sections on the album.

Every tune is under 10 minutes, with many around the 5 or 6 mark. But the line up of pieces are so congruent and flow so nicely, it feels like a concept album all lovingly put together. 'Frames And Curiosity' is not without beauty as songs like 'Far Away' (track #8) is almost tearful, with Malik's flute and voice at the end, Nikolov's romantic piano, and Ivanovic's delicate drums. The recording is easy to cherish and will bring hours of pleasure to lovers of world hybrid jazz and beyond.

 ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson  2 - 20 - 2020

 
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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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