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XAVI REIJA_The Sound of the Earth_COVER.
XAVI REIJA  
The Sound Of The Earth  
(2018 - Moonjune Records - USA)

https://xavireija-moonjune.bandcamp.com/album/the-sound-of-the-earth-hd

A hurricane of a release by an extraordinary drummer from Catalan (Xavi was born in Barcelona, Spain) who some may recall from the 2016 released XaDu 'Random Abstract' album, and previous solo 'Resolution' (2016) also on Moonjune Records. One look at the players on 'The Sound of the Earth' (2018) and any fusion fan and/or progressive rock devotee, will jump for joy. Xavi Reija - drums/Tony Levin - bass guitar, upright bass, stick/Markus Reuter - touch guitar/ and Dusan Jevtovic - guitar, bring a quartet formation to full tilt. Xavi has worked in groups of 2, 3, 4, 5, plus, and knows the freedom of having one musician keep a foundation, while the other (s) are allowed to float and dance around that stone. Reija has involved experience with multiple artists (he has worked with Steve Hogarth, Demian Band, Chez Luna, plus many more, and started his own quintet before the years with Moonjune Records).

A snake charmer's set of compositions, keeping some heavy handed, sometimes furious, margins of Crimson world 'Red/Larks' Tongues in Aspic', blended with spaced out explorations, and fusion with the power and the glory of what only this quartet could produce. Including a perfect balance of extended cuts and average length compositions, the song writing is divided between Reija (1,5,7), Jevtovic (3,9), and the group as a whole (2,4,6,8). So the beautiful flow and outcome is not only full of regard, but rich in quality. Who could expect anything less? Important contributors include co-producer Leonardo Pavkovic (the one man superhero and owner of Moonjune Records). Mastered by  Alvaro Balana, mixed by Jesus Rovira, and recorded by Paul Antonell.
 
Some of the longer tracks feel like a jam, but only by elite professionals, who can make an improv seem effortless. Parts have a prescribed 1970's jazz rock feel, and I hear snippets of Quiet Sun, and Phil Manzanera's more unconventional work. Moments often have the girth of Richard Pinhas' solo work, and 'From Darkness' (track 3) has an avalanche like something from 'Larks' Tongues in Aspic' full blown. The album is not without a funky jazz fusion number (dominate on his early quintet recordings), the title track 'part 2' (track 4), which is a different look at track 2 ('The Sound of the Earth' - part 1). Part 2 sounds like a developed Stick Men number. A totally instrumental and sharp, brilliant, brave, emotional, and singular set of pieces  to put a mark on the musical map, hands down. A resounding applause and HIGH RECOMMENDATION.

  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 1 - 20 - 2019

 
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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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