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Quorum
Klubkin's Voyage
(2011 -  MALS - Russia)

 

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Quorum are a Russian progressive rock band who claim to be neo prog but they dip into a lot of classic progressive rock as their sound and style. Although they have been together since 2003, this is actually the first official full length release for the world to hear. Klubkin's Voyage is based on a scientific TV show called Klub Kinoputeshestviy, which was about discoveries, travel, and adventures. Quorum took the themes and added dreams. It’s all very interesting and the whole concept works well from the cover art to the music.

 

The CD begins with a very beautiful piece that instantly reminds one of mid and late period Camel, then extends to similar sounds of the instrumentals of the band Renaissance. Dominant use of lead guitar and keyboards along with a tight rhythm section gives the listener confidence in the capability of this group. The vocals are in Russian which greatly adds to the atmosphere. The harmonies are memorable, the music is strong.  I do hear pretty much all the bands they claim influence from like Rush. Genesis, and 70's rock which seems to be all American progressive rock bands like Styx and Kansas, but I hear a very strong Camel and Pink Floyd influence as well. You will also hear some classical, Spanish flamenco, Latin and jazz incorporated into the music. There are no shortages of strong tight riffs and beautiful melodies all around. You’ll be gifted with many little twists and unexpected developments in some of the songs too.

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The members are Dmitry Shtatnov (keyboards, vocals), Pavel Barabanov (guitars), Sergey Niconorov (drums), Elena Kanevskaya (live keyboards, vocals), Dmitry Drogounov (flutes, guitars) and Vladimir Yanovsky (bass-guitar). Everyone is very professional and shows high quality musicianship on each song, and the variety of the 16 songs is outstanding. The theme and title of the release is perfect, as the aural visuals come easy with each song being an adventure. Some compositions are quite complex and a tremendous amount of ideas are packed into them. Quorum show they can rock out on a couple cuts. There are no weak tracks and it is safe in saying anyone who likes the more adventurous mellow to classic progressive rock, like mentioned in this review, will be able to enjoy this entire recording from start to finish. I know I was pleasantly surprised just how consistently excellent this was. Recommended!

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Reviewed by Lee Henderson on April 30th, 2011

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AQUA FRAGILE_Moving Fragments_COVER.jpg

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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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