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NOVA CASCADE

Above All Else

(2018 – Invictus Music Ltd – UK)

https://novacascade.bandcamp.com/album/above-all-else

The front cover art by Paul Dews (How Far To Hitchin) visually describes this dynamic ethereal debut. A year and a half in the making, Nova Cascade present the world with their full length ‘Above All Else’, which has soft cinematic atmospheric music, that has strong elements of Sigur Ros, the more gentle post rock, and some of what Tim Bowness (No-Man, solo, and many collaborations) produces on his floating dream state songs. You may also catch retrospective tinges of the more happy Private Music label artists (started by Peter Baumann of Tangerine Dream) from the grand electronic 1980's.

Somewhat spacey and ripe with a heavenly bodies instrumentation, the album is both soothing and calming to the mind. Never boring or background music, the progression of the order of songs stands as a testament to the band’s capabilities and smarts at composition and arrangements. By track 4 (‘We Never Spoke’), a more aggressive guitar comes in to give the listener notice that this release is not vanilla or stagnant with style. Track 5 (‘Hurtled’) is truly beautiful with Dave Hilborne on vocals, synths and programming (Dave sings on 4 of the 12 cuts and writes the lyrics, except for a collaboration with Charlie Bramald on ‘Hurtled’). The credits of the full band are Dave Hilborne : synthesizers,lead vocals/ Dave Fick : bass/ Alessio Proietti : guitars,backing vocals/ Heather Leslie [from Flintlock ] : violin/ Charlie Bramald : flute/ and David Anania [from Blue Man Group] : drums (on ‘Epiphany’). They make full use of the symphonic keys, added flute and violin. ‘Wilted’ (track 12) will melt your heart with achingly gorgeous music and whisper soft vocals.

The entire recording has both an aeronautical and romantic feel. While pleasant is too weak of a word,  perhaps totally satisfying would be the best result one gets from listening. The writers use an effective art of mixing a delicate fabric into their compositions, along with creating sumptuous instrumentation. This is a lofty debut and Nova Cascade will have a line of fans eagerly awaiting their next release. Great for late night, winding down , chilling, or just peaceful listening.  This is journey music full of interesting ideas to hold your attention, but where one can drift and glide. Extra nice.

Reviewed by Lee Henderson 12 – 1 – 2018

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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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