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THE MUFFINS
Secret Signals 3
(2019 - New House Music - USA)

http://www.mannamirage.com/store?fbclid=IwAR1WnkZhyJ9PVxu65DkqrgeGKyosES89Yi4ypt8UkivauBr8uMBAmZ_wxw4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE_GBi7sYsM


The 3rd and final of the rare cassette only issues from archive series, now presented on limited edition of 300 compact disc. Nicely cleaned and digitally transferred by Joe Paradiso (who did the same for Secret Signals 1 & 2). More live and studio recordings by this American innovative jazz/avant/experimental band that fans of Soft Machine, Henry Cow, 'Out Jazz' and even a touch of early Gong, did and always will love. Add a liberal dose of Frank Zappa and you have what I think is the most balanced and accurate picture of what The Muffins did best. Mixing humor with studious instrumental jazz of many shapes and colors.

The line up on '3' is: Scott Raffel - saxophone, bass clarinet / Billy Swann - bass, guitar, vocals, tape [Uncle Don Tapes], tenor saxophone / Doug Elliott - trombone / Tom Scott - winds, percussion / Paul Sears - drums, bass trombone / and Dave Newhouse - keyboards and winds. Compositions are divided and further details are included in notes of this nice physical package.

The beginning track 'Uncle Don (At The Helm)' instantly gives any newcomer a dose of delicious avant-garde jazz, fit for Kings. As strong as anything the band has ever done, this sets the stage and pace for the entire release. With the 2nd song 'Children and Art', you get another side of the group. A strumming, quasi psychedelic ditty from slumberland. One aspect of The Muffins with this lineup (example 'World Maps 1') features multiple winds, that come in configurations of double sax, bass trombone, bass clarinet, and other varied brass/winds formations. The versatility on this end of the trilogy is outstanding and certainly a strong point. With all the looks at what the band can do, it still remains very consistent with a flow as if it was originally recorded as a concept album.

'Secret Signals 3' is like taking a journey on record. In fact, it becomes clear that all 17 tracks are flawless and performed by excellent musicians with a sky high skill level. As a unit, The Muffins seem to make this salad of good things without breaking a sweat. I suspect it was not so easy as they make it sound, but the effortless feel coming to the ears of the audience, makes it softer in reception. The comedy is superb, and tidbits like a loop of "Do you know the Muffin Man" hits all the right spots. Followed by a marching wind ensemble delight 'March of the Suburban Blow-Hards' is proof that anything can happen at a Muffins concert or on record. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Reviewed by Lee Henderson 7 - 8 - 2019
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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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