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O.A.K. (Oscillazioni Alchemico Kreative )
Giordano Bruno
(2018 - Acrostelle/Immaginifica  - EU)
[2 LP + CD: glossy gatefold album]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C6bsSlK9_Q

A massive performance of stellar progressive rock compositions in the lush 70's Genesis, with variations of Jethro Tull (esp track 4) and VDGG styles, across a double album set with grand artwork by Ed Unitsky. All the music is composed by singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Jerry Cutillo, except 'Danse Macabre' (by Saint Saens).  With a heavy duty bow to Italian progressive acts such as Banco, PFM, Formula 3 and the ilk, other influences like Caravan and a sprinkling of other progressive greats are all included. To make it all even more appealing, a gold card list of musicians appear:

Jerry Cutillo: Voice, flute, acoustic guitars, keyboards, bass, ebow guitar, mandolin, tubular bells/ David Jackson (VDGG): Saxes/ Richard Sinclair (Caravan, Camel): Voice & Bass (8)/ Sonja Kristina (Curved Air): Voice (6)/ Maart Allcock (Jethro Tull): Bass (9)/ Derek Wilson (Goblin): Drums (1, 6)/ Jenny Sorrenti (Saint Just): Voice (11)/ Valentina Ciaffaglione: Voice (6)/ Pat Rowbottom: Bass (4, 10)/ Anna Maria Manzi: Vocalisms (5)/ Alexa Trinity Bersiani: Backing vocals (13)/ Francesco De Renzi: Grand Piano & Hammond organ/ Giacomo Pettinelli: Drums/ Charles Yossarian: Drums/ Fab Santoro: Bass/ and Mirko Valtulini: Timpani.

The music is so authentic in the old progressive rock school, and we all know those pinnacle years. If this had been issued back then, we'd still be bragging about it, and it certainly would be seen as a classic. It is that good. My eyes went directly to Richard Sinclair and his part on side three's (track 8 on CD) opening 'Dreams of Mandragora', although it is not Canterbury, but more at the Genesis/Camel atmosphere, with still the thrill of hearing Richard mostly talk, and play bass. Jenny Sorrenti does a spine tingling lead vocal on 'Wittenberger Fuchstanz' (track 11 on CD). Jerry adds vocals to the chorus and this song goes down as worth the price alone. All out perfection.

Thank goodness for someone such as Jerry , who makes the beautiful concept album still. He adds some beautiful flute all among the titles, that move from Ian Anderson, John Hackett, Peter Gabriel, and Ian McDonald. He also plays abundant amounts of grandiose keyboards with no shortage of organ and mellotron in the vein of Tony Banks. Every musician is at full throttle, and wisely picked. This is progressive rock opera at it's best. It is not just nostalgia, but brings the past to the present with all that is great. 'Sandali Rossi' (track 13) is gorgeous and a glowing hi-light of the album. This one will be played over and over. All the songs on side four (tracks 12,13,14 on CD) never let up with the strength of Jerry's compositional skill. The opening cut on side one 'Campo dè fiori' is amazing enough to draw you in (I posted a link from You Tube with this intro for you to hear), and the ending cut is a reprise where orchestral arrangement and tubular bells come in.  Francesco De Renzi's Grand piano is superb.

The album concept is about  Giordano Bruno, a philosopher, mathematician, cosmological theorist and poet. His life ended when he was burned as an heretic by the Roman Inquisition in the year 1.600. This is by far Jerry Cutillo's best work. He has been in the music world a long time, even trying the punk scene for a time, but always staying with his true love, the progressive rock genre, he formed O.A.K, back in 1993, and although different stages of the group shifted from covers to originals, it was actually 2015 before the official and all self penned material came about with 'Viandanze'. In 2018 we have  O.A.K's second and magnificent double album 'Giordano Bruno'.  RECOMMENDED.
 
  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 2 - 2 - 2019
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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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