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SIMON PHILLIPS

Protocol 4

(2017 – Phantom Recordings – USA)

http://www.simon-phillips.com/

With the fourth Protocol release, Simon takes a world tour on nine compositions totaling just under an hour. He wrote and produced all of the pieces, many sounding like they could be a lost Allan Holdsworth release. Bringing us a four piece power house, band members are Ernest Tibbs (bass), Greg Howe (guitars), Dennis Hamm (keys), and of course the ever so talented Simon Phillips (drums/percussion). 

Simon has played drums on a list ten miles long from early 70’s to present. While I would be forever to try to inventory his performances, a few of my favorite choices are his work on Mike Oldfield, Gordon Giltrap, Camel, Trilok Gurtu w/ NDR Bigband, Mike Rutherford (‘Smallcreep’s Day’, which is my favorite Rutherford recording ever), and Judie Tzuke (‘Stay With Me Til Dawn’ aka ‘Welcome To The Cruise’). He is also famous for doing live tours with The Who, Toto, Jeff Beck and Toyah, and once again, a longer list than time and space allows in this review.

While Simon made a huge impact on the progressive rock world, he actually got started at age twelve with his father Sid Phillips in a jazz band. So the love and connection to jazz, which his solos are infected with, is deep rooted. This brings us to the ‘Protocol 4’ release. Similar to the previous three (his first Protocol album was released in 1988, and not set up at the time to be a series, since he put several other solos out with like ‘Force Majeure’ -1992 and ‘Symbiosis’ – 1995, etc), the hot jazz fusion is consistent, dynamic, precise, and at times furious. The guitar work is in a very Holdsworth/Akkerman mode. The keyboards remind me of variations between Herbie Hancock, Jan Hammer, and Dave Stewart. Bass moves each tune in the spirit of Anthony Jackson. On the second track (‘Pentangle’) things get funky and Simon gets to blow it out in spots. If there was just one thing to note about Phillips, he is one of the most tasteful, creative, relentless, and ever dynamic drummers on the planet. This is why he has always been in demand. The fact that he is now 60, but plays like he is still 21, amazes me.

Track three (‘Passage To Agra’) could very well have come from ‘Feels Good To Me’/’One of a Kind’ by Bill Bruford, with a Holdsworthian lead guitar, dead on dual lead keyboards, all layed on top of a tropical beat. The entire disc is filled with clinically executed, yet emotionally charged and extremely top notch fusion froth. If you love top shelf jazz fusion bands of the 70’s and 80’s, this carries the torch with diamonds, and takes it up a notch. A well balanced selection of brisk songs that include the occasional funky and the exotic sizzle.

Simon shows he still has more than enough octane left in his tank as both composer and explosive drummer. From every aspect, the band shakes off the dust of yesteryears. A all instrumental set of gems, even a beautiful cut (track 6) ‘Celtic Run’, that starts slow but kicks into high gear for a head bobbing Celtic jazz rock jewel. Throughout the album, there are lots of breaks from fast to low key, but nothing lingers. No apathy present, and the world journey themes don’t stop short of keeping the listener on their toes, jacked up, and loving it all the way to the end. This band can rip, roar, and float, all in great taste. RECOMMENDED.

Reviewed by Lee Henderson (writer, listener, music lover, musician) 12 – 6 – 2017

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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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