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THE MUFFINS

Secret Signals 2

(2018 – Newhouse Music – USA)

http://www.mannamirage.com/

Following the first of a scheduled three reissued/remastered collection of live and studio rarities performed 1974 thru 1975, from stalwart Canterbury/free jazz influenced American (specifically the state of Maryland) progressive music group, which were originally released on cassette back in the late 1980s/early 1990s, comes ‘Secret Signals 2’. Visually, first thing that catches a physical format collector’s attention is the similar front cover art with a cat in common with the ‘Secret Signals 1’ release. A stat difference is less musicians (for example ‘2’ only features Mike Bass on drums, verses three different drummers on ‘1’). The six band members on ‘2’ are Dave Newhouse (keyboards , woodwinds, trumpet); Mike Bass (drums, mallets); Billy Swann (bass, ringmaster); Michael Zentner (guitars, violin); Tom Scott (woodwinds, bell tree, yelling) and Scott Raffel (alto sax, violins).

As for the listening experience, this 2nd release has plenty of their improvised pieces, which are rich with inventive, highly creative, often intricate, and always interesting interplay. There are a range of live performances as well as varied stylings, that can roll from Soft Machine to Bartok. That has always been the thrill of this academic outfit, in whatever formation they have arrived in. So we get ten more goodies transferred to CD which will please any fan of The Muffins. They are an important band in the American progressive scene, and among a precious few that existed in the country in the early 1970s (at least the ones we were fortunate to know about and hear).

From the start, you can hear the natural space around the band as they jam and create these well organized (with the improvisation, it is of course in the moment) works. Never too chaotic in any unlistenable sense, the musical education and skill of each musician clearly shows in the ten compositions. The same inventive mixture of Canterbury, Zappa, free jazz, and approximate avant-garde, is present on ‘Secret Signals 2’ as was on ‘1’. Spiced with more of that roaming British free jazz scene style, the adventurous aspect of The Muffins shines especially bright here. ‘How’s The Weather?’ (track 3) is probably as out there as they get. ‘Bartok Stockpot’ is amazing with an intro of medieval genre bending jazz, like a melding of Gryphon and Univers Zero, then a haunting dirge-like procession. Written by Mike Bass (drums, percussion) and Bartok, this is a standout and way different from their other music.

It is easy to think this was a polished and planned official studio release, and funny enough, it has eventually become just that. With some magic of Joe Paradiso taking the original tapes to digital and cleaning them up a bit, we have two treasures (soon to be three, and I cannot wait to get my hands on ‘Secret Signals 3’) from yesteryear, from this American group for progressive ears. The Muffins were great at mixing the tongue in cheek satire of Frank Zappa, the quizzical rhythmic adventures of Egg/Gilgamesh/Henry Cow, the various paths of Soft Machine/Sun Ra, and plenty other unconventional musical thought. It is a pleasure to have these early recordings to document their youthful days. It is also a welcome surprise to see Dave Newhouse getting behind the release of new versions of The Muffins, in a fresh line up of members, and with additional ideas to present to the fans of this highly respected band. More great things are to come, you can bank on that.

Reviewed by Lee Henderson 11 – 20 – 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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