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SINGLE CELLED ORGANISM

Splinter In The Eye

(2017 – ART OF MUSIC – Germany)

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https://singlecelledorganism.com/

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This is the latest release from Jens Lueck featuring his partner Isgaard on vocals, Jan Petersen (ex-Sylvan) – Electric Guitars, Ingo Salzmann – Electric Guitars, Dieter Koch – Acoustic Guitars, additional Electric Guitars, Volker Kuinke – Recorders, Katja Flintsch – Violine, Viola, Annika Stolze – Cello also with John Turner (voice on ‘The Call’), Kai Ritter – voice, Ekiss Giloc – bass, and everything else by Jens Lueck – drums, keyboards, bass, programing, vocals, all compositions, (except main theme melody line for the character of the female protagonist, written by his daughter Marie-Jean Lueck), arrangements, production, recording, mix, and mastering – whew!

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‘Splinter In The Eye’ is a well written story-based concept album, that I highly suggest the listener read about in the 'blog' section of the link posted above this review. It’s a beautifully put together work based on a modern apocalyptic fantasy. This is movie quality stuff. A bonus is the CD digipak is gatefold with lyric and art booklet. As for the music, the beginning strikes you as a very Pink Floyd inspired tune, but as the song moves along, there is much more of a combination of classic and neo progressive rock. Throughout the recording you notice how immaculate every part is. The vocals are mellow and pleasing. Equal parts gentle and cinematic, the arrangements are magnetic and first rate. Jens has an over abundance of skill and has masterful knowledge at every facet of the recording. I am positive he can write and perform any type of music he desires. I could see this talent with his previous collaboration with Volker Kuinke and Isgaard (with other fine guests), called Syrinx Call (title is ‘Wind In The Woods’) which made my top 2015 list. Jens has been making great recordings for many years. His output of soundtracks (several with Isgaard) is outstanding, and his involvement in various musical projects continues to expand. He has also written exhaustive amounts of music for a catalog of Isgaard’s solo albums. ‘Splinter In The Eye’ has all the musicians who worked on Syrinx Call as a note of interest.

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Some of Jens vocals remind me much of Steve Hogarth although less treble and a bit smoother, and often more gentle. You may also find some of the music has a similar sound to early Genesis, late Marillion, mid period Pink Floyd, Kate Bush (thanks to the vocals of Isgaard on trk 5 ‘New Horizons’), Steve Hackett, and Porcupine Tree (trk 9 ‘The Virus’). All of this makes sense when I spoke to Jens and he told me this recording was a throwback to his roots in progressive rock, which was inspired by his daughter.

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My first spin of the CD was clearly a double take. I was ready to rule immediately that this was a winner in every way. With two more listens through the week (which I looked forward to), I felt exactly the same way. I ask what can Jens Lueck not do, with a hand full of guests and his sterling vocalist Isgaard? Let’s wait and see the magic of what is next. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

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Reviewed by Lee Henderson  12 – 11 – 2017

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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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