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SYRINX CALL
Mirror Neuron
(2021 - Timezone Records - Germany)

https://syrinxcall.bandcamp.com/album/mirrorneuron

Yet another masterpiece (3rd) from Syrinx Call, an elite collection of artists that fail to take no for an answer, who bypass any limitations, and transcend the outside world (with all the sticky paste-on walls) of the commercial garbage machines, and keep their focus on just making great recordings of what they feel and decide upon. So relevant and deeply important to what is occurring in that exterior asphalt jungle, the music is gorgeous and at the same time striking. The perfection of dynamics, honey dipped melodies, soothing vocals, and movements that ebb and flow like the most pristine ocean one could dream of. With divine female vocals (both wife of Jens, Isagaard, and wife of Volker, Doris Packbiers) and background voice by already unmistakably beautiful Isagaard (who has many solo albums out), the other core members Jens Lueck (drums, multiple other instruments, and the one in charge of recording, arranging, mixing, mastering, producing and singing lead vocals in most of the album), his brilliant friend co-writer  Volker Kuinke (also vocals, alto, bass, soprano, tenor , & great bass recorders), and this time,  help from members of Eloy (Klaus-Peter Matziol : bass guitar/and Frank Bornemann electric guitar/ as well as a host of support including Doris Packbiers: vocals (who also wrote the main story and concept, with contributions from Jens and Volker)/ Jurgen Osuchowski: 6 and 12-string acoustic guitars/ Katja Flintsch: violin and viola/ Annika Stolze: violoncello/ and Jan Petersen: electric guitar.


Their debut ('Wind In The Woods' - 2015) was quite a beauty, and a good deal more flush with undeniable beauty, soaring and catching the heart strings of anyone even remotely attracted to the heavenly Celtic genre. Their second one ('The Moon On A Stick' - 2018) brought in more Pink Floyd influence, and this third one is easily the most powerful one yet. A balance of epic progressive rock, art rock, folk fused tunes, classical footholds, and magical touches only created by this team of musicians. Certainly the entire album is glistening with eargasmic delight. Eloy adds an extra punch, but not overbearing whatsoever. The music is crafted like a large orchestra, each part carefully composed, arranged, and performed. It should be reminded to people that Jens Lueck owns his own studio, and has been doing these mastered projects for a long time. It is rare to have such an artist who knows as much, can create such a sound, and keep a 100% premium level of achievement as this.

The actual group was founded and led by Volker Kuinke, but Jens Lueck puts the creations into reality, and Isgaard endows each project with stunningly gorgeous vocals, as does Doris Packbiers. Read my previous reviews on this group to know how each member acts as a intricate piece of the secret (or should I say obvious) elegance.  Both Volker and Jens write the music, and the solution of these artists is one to take notice of. From the debut that is soaked in Celtic beauty, to this third, which brings in a more dystopian Floyd vibe, still intact with the grace of all previous Syrinx Call projects, all engulfed in efflorescence and pure bliss. Perhaps this third one has more adventure and definitely a journey to continue for years to come. The music is immediate and absolute, full of generous doses of feel good hope and eager listening time. Nothing is sparred, production is total, and every part is perfectly in place, like all Jens Lueck involved recordings. Excellent on all counts.  RECOMMENDED.

  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 5 - 29 - 2021

 
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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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