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Nog Cavanagh
Sombre Castles Of Desire
(2011 -  Angry Robot Records - Ireland)

 

 

 

This is Nog Cavanagh’s 2nd release and it’s filled with the same style of deep space music as his debut ('Everything Leads To Here'). Even though he is an independent musician producing his own solos over the last 7 years, he previously played with Liquid Hedgehog, Satori, Secret Garden, and Caustic Soup. He plays a large number of instruments.

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I immediately hear some references such as Cyrille Verdeaux (Clearlight Symphony solos, and many projects). His first CD really had all those markers. Also Tim Blake, Nik Turner and Steve Hillage would be great comparisons. Most songs have a definite space core to them but they vary in tempos and some are heavier, some are mellow. All tunes get a groove and let people dance to them. People would love this at a rave (especially Song 5 - Pulsar) so it certainly would have it’s more modern place there.

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The recording quality stands out better on this sophomore album. All things begin with a relaxing groove of celestial jam. While it reminds me of Hawkwind as for it’s repetitive mode and space ritual genre, it still has a springy Hillage sound to it overall ('Fish Rising', and 'Green' era). There is playfulness, and that genuine 60's psychedelic flavor to it, which I found extra nice. The second song (“King Arachno”) has a more aggressive and faster tempo off the mark, with fuzzed out guitar, swirling lead, synthesizers, and pumping bass. Again, very much in the Hawkwind tradition in structure of jam. I think this would be a good party song if you wanted to do the 60's trip theme. If you like Pink Floyd I think it’s safe to say you’ll like this CD also. I swear I heard a Casio synthesizer and a Theremin on song 7 (Looks Like Rain). Nog uses old and new instruments to produce the varied trippy sounds of his music. The range from Tangerine Dream to Future Sound of London, is the result. And of course the mind set and smarts to write this type of music in the first place.

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If you’re looking for time changes and the complex rhythms of another space rock genre such as Gong ('You' and beyond) or Ozric Tentacles, this is not it. It’s a very groove oriented all instrumental music and meant for easily sitting back with headphones and revisiting (or visiting, if you are under the age of 60) the 60's psychedelic music scene in living color! Nog wrote and dedicates 'Ghost On The Wind' (Song 9) to his deceased mother. This song is very beautiful and has a free feeling to it, combining both earth (nature sounds) and space quality. His last song ('El34') also has a floating beginning but then jumps into a fast intense space jam. It’s the only track where I saw this big change of tempo and entire atmosphere change like that. This may be more of what we might see in the next release. My only complaint are the cheap electronic drum machine parts. A real drummer/percussionist sure would bring out Mr. Cavanagh’s music more brilliantly.

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No doubt this will go over well for sci-fi rock fans, and folks who love any of the hypnotic bands I mentioned in the review. I am glad there are musicians still around like Nog, that can do what they want and make these type recordings from another galaxy.

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Reviewed by Lee Henderson on March 12th, 2011

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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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