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UDO PANNEKEET
Electric Regions
(2019 - In and Out of Focus Records - Europe)

https://udopannekeet.bandcamp.com/album/electric-regions

Five years in the making, this is Udo Pannekeet's second solo album. His debut was 'On' (2013) with Jeroen van Vliet/Erwin Vann/Pascal Vermeer. He may be more well known to the world as the famed bassist for Focus (for last 3 years, most notable on 'Focus 11'), but was previously a member of Isotope, Tim Langedijk Trio, Juju Bros, Satori Society and his own quintet Pitch Pine Project.

Comprised of five compositions 'Electric Regions' starts off with the one and only extended title piece "Electric Regions Part One" (there is no Part Two on this album, so perhaps we will see that on a future recording) clocking in at 23:15. Trying to guess all the styles beforehand is futile. Simply put, it is best to just go buy the release and listen to the fruits of Udo's labor. This is nothing like Focus, but a raffle of anything and nearly everything. From an exotic beginning, funky jazz big band nod, groove floor dance and boogie-woogie, parts that kick into larger than life expansions of fusion. The many flavors come from both Pannekeet's head and the large variety of former band mates, and friends. Those musicians included here are: Marcel Serierse - drums, percussion / Rein Godefroy - piano, synths / Jelle Roozenburg - guitars, baritone guitar / Martijn van Iterson - guitar / Eef Albers -  guitar / Menno Gootjes - guitar (also a Focus member) / Tim Langedijk - guitar / Ilja Reijngoud - trombone / Jan van Duikeren - trumpet / Nils van Halften - saxophones, bass clarinet / Tom Beek - tenor saxophone / Remco de Landmeter - flutes / Rene ten Cate - vibraphone / Jos de Haas - percussion / and the man himself, Udo Pannekeet - bass, synth-bass, synths, vocals, drum programming.

At times I hear Neil Ardley, but more influences seep in, and nothing is stagnant or listless. Curveballs of minimalism, floating big band charts, busy jazz transfers, organ led bridges along the way, and ritual chant, holy ground, and celestial space exploration all happens like a python crawling thru a multiple terrain and twilight zone of time. With so many dimensions, so much in one arrangement, the things you hear are almost dizzy in display. You may even hear a flash of early Bruford (in his early solos with Holdsworth, Stewart, and Berlin). Then there is the reflective and poetic 'Little Nura" (track #3). Simply beautiful. This reminds one of Eberhard Weber. 'The Antibes Situation' (track #4) kicks into a hybrid of  bassist Jonas Hellborg and stage shaking early American jazz masters aura. Very strong vibes.

This special album ends with 'Cocon Cocon', that brings together most of the ingredients of the previous moments in short order, yet spreads one more musical environment for the listener. The joy lies in your ability to sit quietly with close friends or alone, without cell phones, kids screaming, a nagging partner, or around hyper minded self centered dunces, and just listen and let the flow in. This is a treat.  RECOMMENDED.

  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 2 - 27 - 2020
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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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