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ORCHESTRA EXOTICA

Plays Martin Denny

[with bonus CD ‘Mai’Tie, the girl and the bird’]

(2017 – OFF RECORDS – Belgium)

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https://stilll-off.bandcamp.com/album/plays-martin-denny

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As the title and the band’s name implies, the music within is Orchestra Exotica’s version of the Exotica genre, which was defined by Martin Denny back in the 1957. That music was a fantasy mix of South Pacific and the Orient. Later composers (like Les Baxter) brought in influences from Oceania, Hawaii, The Andes, and even Africa. The music on this Orchestra Exotica is all that, but modern day listeners may be more apt to describe it as Caribbean space age jazz with a lounge music quality. The whole idea for the album came from the original children’s play written by Bruno Vansina titled ‘MaiTé, het meisje en de vogel’ (translated ‘Mai’Tie, the girl and the bird’- which comes as the bonus disc of this package). Pierre Vervloesem, the master interpreter he is, took these pieces and did a bit of revamping, but not to the extent of defacing them.

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An absolute essential release for the fans of Bruno Vansina, Pierre Vervloesem and Peter Vandenberghe (X-Legged Sally/FES world). This spectacular line up of elite musicians take on a unique (as always) cover of not just Martin Denny, but also Jacques Ilbert, Nicholas Roubanus, Harold Johnson, Les Baxter, Ken Darby, Charles Wolcott, and Julius Wechter. Frank Van Eyken’s vibraphone and marimba give the pieces a boost for the tropical atmosphere. Pierre Vervloesem’s guitar work also, parked in a fluid semi space tropical island sound much of the time, brings the stylings to a fever. Expect the unexpected!

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A variety of medium to slow tempo pieces weave their way among the fifteen cuts of the main disc. For the uninitiated , one could imagine 1960’s safari film soundtracks, bits of Gong’s ‘Shamal’, ever evolving eastern influences, lots of nature sounds (birds, ocean), percussion (Latin, gongs, flexi tones, glass, woodblocks), effects (aquatic, metal, horns, all sorts), and unidentified objects. All this laid out beautifully, with a master guitarist named Pierre Vervloesem sounding like (for those not familiar with him) a mix of Robert Fripp and Steve Hillage. The music takes you on an adventurous ride through not only tropical settings, but at times has a circus mood, and is alternately humorous and mysterious. The band makes sure to be playful, complex, occasionally simple, quizzical, and always fascinating. Some of the zany parts reminded me of Samla Mammas Manna.

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Along with Filip Vandenbril on bass, Kobe Proesmans on percussion, and Simon Segers on drums, you have Bruno Vansina (flute, melodica, synth, sax, glockenspiel), Frank Van Eyken (vibraphone, marimba), Pierre Vervloesem (guitar), and Peter Vandenberghe (keyboards). Mixed and remastered by  Vervloesem. This is the full spiced and inventive sound of Orchestra Exotica realized. Masterful!

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The bonus disc ‘Mai’Tie, the girl and the bird’ is a performance of all the same songs in a different order, with the addition of one composition by Helen Parker (‘Akaka Falls’). It is quite beautiful, focusing on flute, guitar and marimba, sounding like a Mike Oldfield piece. Also, a big change is the scaled down band. This bonus disc is done by only three of the members (Bruno Vanspira, Frank Van Eyken, and Pierre Vervloesem) each taking on some extra duties. The music takes a more electric sound, while retaining the same general music as the original disc. Plenty enough alteration to make for yet another fifteen tracks that hold your attention and captivate the imagination. A few distinct twists and changes to thrill the listener who already fell in love with the first disc. You get a fast version of ‘Misirlous’ (track 6 on main, track 11 on bonus). Obviously some programming is used by Pierre to take care of the extra sounds. This whole affair is marvelous and begs to be heard. If you need a exotic vacation, perhaps this would help you get the mindset, and relax in the waves of tropical dreamland, where fantasy meets fact. RECOMMENDED.

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Reviewed by Lee Henderson 4 – 23 – 2018

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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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