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TIM ARNOLD
Super Connected
(2023 - TA Music - UK)


https://timarnold.bandcamp.com/album/super-connected-2023

With all the trap doors of a Godley & Creme concept album, the contrast of Peter Gabriel's fetal ballads and jolting counterparts, and in the early moments come the memories of the exciting aural of what David Sylvian and Mick Karn did with their 'Tin Drum' from the unforgettable group Japan. This initially stealthy piece of work by long time British musician Tim Arnold, shakes up the listener with the first couple of songs, picking at the curious nature in whoever might be ready to listen to something far more substantial than 90% of the media manipulations of this present time for citizens of the planet earth.  Part art pop, semi avant rock, experimental boundaries such as members of 10cc, Rupert Hine, and/or anything music, this is premium musical score for the most keen ears.  

The topic is so daily and yet ignored by the mass, it feels as if we have been waiting for someone to speak out about this , and one who has some power to push it out in the open. The songs are focused on various sources of how mutli-media is taking (or already has taken) control of our lives in every way.  So listen to this entire album so the diversions work as intended, and capture you in the warm cocoon this meticulous artist set out to succeed with.  The norm is NOT acceptable my good friend!   And if you think it is, then you are warped and indoctrinated into a test tube for terrified losers.


Even for me, a six decade music addict of all sorts, took a slight about face to accept this album. But it was only for the first three songs that took me off the expected path.  And once the next tunes rolled me up into a captive audience, the effort of the author was apparent and that magic moment of WOW, bang sparks and connection came quickly.  The freeze frames and shutter shots then took me on to the entire journey, transformed, not fooled or suckered like the specific media mania Tim was addressing, but a big fresh reveal and high five tribal smile, and recognition that this artist  is brave and intelligent.

Added to the fire comes the fact that the instruments and vocals are as such: vocals, pianos, guitars percussion, bass, and sampler. The album is programmed, written, arranged, and produce d by Tim Arnold.  A huge guest list includes 'Start With The Sound' – Vintage synths, drum machines and sound design by Jonathan Noyce, violins, violas and cello by Jonathan Hill, drums by Alexy Guerer. Mixed by Danny Monk. 'Super Connected' -Horns by Ben Castle, drums by Alexy Guerer, bass by Jonathan Noyce. Mixed by Danny Monk. 'You Like My Pictures' – Vintage synths and bass by Jonathan Noyce. Mixed by Danny Monk. 'The Touch Of A Screen' – Violin by Jonathan Hill, cello by Nick Holland, bass by Jonathan Noyce. Mixed by Danny Monk. 'Start A Conversation' – Vintage synths, drum machines and sound design by Jonathan Noyce, backing vocals by Alexy Guerer and Ben Pelchat.

Guest singers from the gathering on Zoom in lockdown, May 2021:
Michelle Olley, Dixie McDevitt, Kate Alderton, Nic Alderton, Ben Pelchat, Jessie Doyle, Roddy McDevitt, Larry Sidorczuk, Geoff Norris, Simon Reeves, Emma Watkinson, Melissa Mailer-Yates, Wayne Hoyle, Firak Di Bello, Daniella Maccari Anwen Fryer Burrows, Peter Stanford, Andy Lewis, William Humphrey’s, Nadine Page, Felix Page, Richard Arnold, Louise Arnold, Johnny Nigma, Andrew Schlussel, Jai Ramage, Jeremy Stockwell, Tom Calderbank, Jeremy and Claudia, Sabine Biermann and Holly Landeros. Mixed by Danny Monk and Tim Arnold.

'A Commercial Break' – Narrated by Stephen Fry, introduced by Kate Alderton, violin by Jonathan Hill, cello by Nick Holland. Mixed by Tim Arnold and Ben Pelchat. 'Everything Entertains' – Violin by Jonathan Hill, cello by Nick Holland, bass by Jonathan Noyce, drums by Hugo Degenhardt. Mixed by Ben Pelchat. 'Send More Light' – Violin by Jonathan Hill, Nick Holland. Mixed by Danny Monk. 'The Complete Solution' – Narration by Stephen Fry, drums by Josh Macintosh, bass by Jonathan Noyce. Mixed by Ben Pelchat. 'Where Am I In All Of This?' – Drums by Aley Guerer, bass by Jonathan Noyce. Mixed by Danny Monk. 'Finally Everybody’s Talking' – Drums by Alexy Guerer, bass by Jonathan Noyce. Mixed by Danny Monk. 'Make Me All Right' – Backing vocals by Ben Pelchat. Mixed by Ben Pelchat. This is an extremely important album and many wish more people would protest this obsessive control we now face. So trust me when I sway your ears and mind to imbibe this recording. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED and a TOP CHOICE for 2023 list at Big Beautiful Noise.  ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!!   

  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 6 - 24 - 2023





 
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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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