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TAYLORS UNIVERSE_Almost Perfected_COVER.

TAYLOR’S UNIVERSE

Almost Perfected

(2017 – MARVEL OF BEAUTY RECORDS – Denmark)

http://www.robinctaylor.com/

https://robintaylorsuniverse.bandcamp.com/album/almost-perfected

Having heard everything Robin Taylor has released (I personally own all his physical output),  I was curious to what Robin might have done to the songs of yore. I was confused back in 2015 when he released what he called a ‘compilation’ titled ‘Across The Universe’, and I misunderstood what he actually did. He took previous songs he was not totally happy with, and remade them with his new band. This was like a new release, and now he has done the same thing again with even more tunes he wanted to improve. This time it is like an entirely new set of compositions, and an absolute thrill.

‘Almost Perfected’ should have been titled ‘Finally Perfected’ but those long time Taylor fans have always been happy with his projects. I took the approach of just enjoying this CD as it is, and not getting deep into the old versions of songs, where they came from, or how they compared, but I will say this much for anyone interested. The four compositions are not only extended, but fully remade and retitled. Two are from his Robin Taylor ‘Isle Of Black’ (2007) (which had Karsten Vogel on sax, Rasmus Groselll on drums, and of course Louise Nipper performing voice, with Robin Taylor playing guitar, bass, keys, and percussion). The two songs there are ‘Johannesburg’ and ‘Mind Archaeology’ (a very different name from ‘Dark Side of Alec’, on his new edition) , then you have the other two titles from ‘Soundwall’ (2008) by Taylor’s Universe with Denner (this album featured Michael Denner – electric & acoustic guitars, power twin solos [right channel], Karsten Vogel – soprano, alto & tenor saxes, Robin Taylor – guitars [thrash solos], bass guitar, piano, organ, tron, synths, stringman, toy keyboard, glockenspiel, percussion, voice, tapes, & treatments, Rasmus Grosell – drums, with Louise Nipper – voice , and Victoria Bjerre – the little voice on ‘Aspx’). Those tracks are ‘Tag Attack’ and ‘Totally Greek’. So you can see the renaming. But the focus should be on his new creations.

Anyone who has loved the last half dozen Taylor releases (especially noted would be ‘From Scratch’, ‘Evidence’, ‘Worn Out’, ‘Kind of Red’ and ‘Two-Pack’) will surely want this newest one. The formula that the band creates, under Taylor’s wand, is the best thing he has ever done, in my opinion. And that is hard to say, due to so many great predecessors. With lots of soaring guitar leads, pleasing sax solos, Fripp-like rhythms, and skilled dynamics, ‘Almost Perfected’ is a all out winner. The first track ‘Mean Attack’ (11:42) gives you all of the above, plus a sudden break that moves on with beautiful flute, keys, and buildup using The Taylorettes (Louise Nipper and Jytte Lindberg on voice). Track two ‘Definitely Greek (He Said)’ (10:48) begins gently with piano, acoustic guitar, synthesizer washes, and perfectly done drums. Then soft moog, fretless bass, and the layers start to lift you off your feet. Add the Taylorettes, who sound like the singers from Philip Glass’s ‘North Star’ and the surprise comes midway through, an explosion of sound, only to quickly settle back down and prepare for the remaining epic stages. Yes-like (on their ‘Tales of the Topographic Oceans’ glory days) with substantial changes, textures, and spot on beautiful complexity. Once again, one of the best songs Robin Taylor has ever done.

Track three ‘Remembering Johannesburg’ (9:23) is another super melodic groove soaked piece. Beautiful! It reminds me of a song that could be off Soft Machine ‘Softs’, with it’s cadence style John Marshall drums along with smooth sax, flowing dreaminess, and more astral lead guitar soloing, alternating with moog lead. The longest and last track of the disc ‘Dark Side of Alec’ (14:27) starts off the heaviest and most aggressive. Although it pulls back into a planning stage right away, you can hear the development coming. And it certainly does unfold to a delight. Somewhat Pink Floydish at times, but still has a distinct Jan Garbarek sound in his world jazz rock stylings (‘In Praise of Dreams’, ‘Twelve Moons’). Rich, gorgeous, thought provoking, with an atmosphere to die for. This is four for four, all 100% prime music.

Robin has a nice message inside the digipak fold open cover. He states that over the years you get better. Is he ever correct about that. He also explains how the recording came about. When I talked to him, he told me he was very happy with this CD. Knowing Robin over the years, I know how he has toiled and often made himself ill over worry and work with his projects. He is a perfectionist who may never be 100% satisfied with his compositions but with ‘Almost Perfected’ he told me if this was his last release, he could be happy about it. In my opinion this is a pinnacle of Taylor’s career. And I can truly recommend this to all. GREAT CD!!!!!

Review by Lee Henderson 5 – 10 – 2018

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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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