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SOT

Redwings Nest

(2014 - Sotanic Sounds - NORWAY)

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www.saltoftusj.com

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Second album from Norway’s SOT (Salt of Tusj) brings the listener more bold, daring, and game-changing progressive music.  I felt their debut was stunning and I am thrilled by this release even more.  The guest appearances by vocal group PUST, and a cello ensemble, give the hybrid technical no-boundary trio greater girth.  For a good idea of their sound read my review of their first release 'Kind of Saltz' (2012)

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Things start off with a fairly typical jazz rock theme with a bit of funk added.  But as SOT are famous for, the directions twist and change quickly.  Lots of Weather Report influence here, plus more.  On the second cut much more develops, with lots of great odd time signatures and styles hooked together, from jazz fusion to early music, in what could be a jazz rock Gentle Giant.  Wonderful stuff!!

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I complimented SOT last time for being able to get in and out of a composition, after filling it with multiple jabs and spectacular combinations, and this is just as true for 'Redwings Nest'.  The main thing different on this release is less noticeable tuba (and tuba modifications).  Not that it is absent but the use of the varied tuba is done so close to a bass that one hardly knows there is any tuba.  That’s crafty and brilliant!

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Expect both beautiful and oddball excursions along with lots of tight as a tick progression jazz fusion, and bits of prog-metal used sparingly throughout.  The skill in composition is superior as each minute flows as if it is SOT’s comfort zone.  Everything is as smooth as silk, with not even one bad move.  These three musicians are the definition of perfect chemistry!   You’ll still get serious compositions that sound like King Crimson twisted with Klezmer and whirling dervish, lots of schizoid Gentle Giant too. This release is another stunner.  ULTRA HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!

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Reviewed by Lee Henderson 10 - 23 - 2014

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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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