April 29, 2018

Aigues Vives ‎– Water Of Seasons (1981, LP, Germany)

 
Named for a French town whose name in turn refers to "prosperous fountain/source", Aigues Vives was formed in 1971 in the part of Germany close to the Belgian border. Initially, they were influenced mostly by the progressive rock of their day, but several purges and reformations cast them as a mostly acoustic folk group with plenty of progressive touches. Not particularly German sounding, they nonetheless do bear some comparison to early Hoelderlin, Broselmaschine, or even Emtidi.
It was the third incarnation that finally committed a recording to posterity. Water of Seasons is an entrancing and trippy yet rooted disc that appeals across a broad spectrum of prog folk, psychedelic, and German progressive fans. It was released in a limited edition of 1000 copies and commands a healthy price among collectors.
After yet another lineup change, the group integrated a rock backing with medieval sounding folk in a homegrown cassette Dwarfs Casting Long Shadows, meant to presage a second LP that never materialized.

Geoff Leigh / Frank Wuyts ‎– From Here To Drums (1988, LP, Germany)


 
No Man's Land ‎– NML 881
With 'From here to Drums', these two musicians display their extensive musical backgrounds. Leigh played with Henry Cow, Slapp Happy, Red Balune, Hatfield and the North; and Wuyts is a former member of Aksak Maboul. Suspensfully arranged, their music is somewhere between Avant-pop and experimental-rock.

Geoff Leigh/ lead vocals, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, flute, keyboards, guitar, bass, drums, computer
Frank Wuyts/ keyboards, computer, percussion
John Van Rymenant/ soprano saxophone, sequencer
Michel Berckmans/ bassoon, soprano saxophone
Willem Cramer/ guitar
Phil Miller/ guitar
Wim Pop/ guitar
Asad Oberoi/ percussion, voice
Colin McClure/ bass
Byard Lancaster/ alto saxophone
Fay Arnold/ backing vocals
René Wiegmans/ voice, effects
Martin Van Gent/ drums

" Musically, one can find some relationship to early XTC, Gong and a little bit of Robert Wyatt. Wonderfully wierd pop music which seems to sometimes cross over into relaxed sessions. Slightly spaced oüt, but always entertaining." (ml, H. Schmidt 3/88)

Roberto Colombo - Sfogatevi Bestie (1976, CD, Italy)


Ultima Spiaggia–82876639532/ BMG Italy‎–82876639532 Repost!

However ‎– Sudden Dusk (1981, CD, Usa)



Risultati immagini per However Sudden Dusk

"However never received a proper support from the music industry nor a proper recording contract - just one of those myriad of capital sins committed against good prog music. That explains the fact that this album is basically a collection of tracks written through the mid 1970s through 1981, and recorded in 1980-1981: so, eventually these victims of oblivion managed to get their material out in the market as a testimony of their musical genius. Bassist/keyboardist Peter Princiotto appears to be the band's leader, since he writes most of the material comprised here, and is usually the busiest instrumentalist; but this is not someone's band, but a well-oiled ensemble that functions fluidly as a unit, with a clear sense of purpose and unhidden enthusiasm. The absolute proficiency shown in the guitar and reed solos, together with the exquisite precision of the rhythm section, make this repertoire attractive despite its intricacy and somewhat recurrent inclusion of dissonance and challenging counterpoints. Main influences are Gentle Giant, early Henry Cow, 72-74 Zappa, and Hatfield & the North; there's also an exquisite flavor at times similar to that of Happy the Man. But at the end of the day, the thing is that However's sound is not merely a melting pot of foreign ideas, since it is clear that the band achieves their own voice. The opening cut 'It's Good Fun' is precisely good fun, both appealing and complex, if only a bit too short - it could have gone places had it been developed further. Anyway, it's catchy enough to keep the listener alert to what's yet to come. After the brief interlude 'Hardt', 'In the Aisles' brings back the funny vibe and keeps it working on. 'Louise Sitting on a Chair' stands out as a captivating piece of beautiful music wrapped under a delicate veil of solemnity - oh, that piano, and that soprano sax,.. and those subtle touches on bass guitar and cello... just like a siesta in the realms of a peaceful universe. This same calm beauty will be later refurbished in the acoustic guitar duet titled 'In the Midst of Making', a piece of dreamy moods that also features mesmeric soprano sax flourishes and soft singing. 'Beese' and 'No Cows' show the band at their most aggressive and dissonant, something like a compromise between jazz-rock and Canterbury style with a RIO-esque twist: these are the tracks where all musicians' virtuosity meets its most challenging expression, which is obviously due to the dearly complex nature of the writing and arranging processes. On the other hand, the title track is constructed as a Frippian guitar soundscape supported by somber synth layers and mysterious nuances of fuzz guitar, fretless bass, recorder and sax. The result is really disturbing, despite its reflective mood (as opposed to scary). 'Lamplight' and 'Trees for the Forest' are the jazziest numbers in the album, while 'Grandfather Was the Driver' is a very Zappa-esque combination of country and Eastern exotic stuff. It's a shame that this repertoire, as amazing and splendorous as it is, has been so overlooked for so long: thanks to the CD technology, there is a chance that "Sudden Dusk" may be acknowledged by progheads all over the world as what it is - a musical testimony of pure excellence. This a real unique prog masterpiece: However is USA prog at its very best!!" [Progarchives/ Cesar Inca] [Gibraltar/ Mike Taylor]

Barock ‎– Bare En Blåveis (1976, LP, Norway)


Side A
A1. Mr. Music Man (3:41)
A2. My Voice (5:16)
A3. Impressions (3:46)
A4. Bare En Blåveis (3:00)
Side B
B1. Gøymde Hendingar (3:07)
B2. Good Morning (2:25)
B3. To You In The Bus (2:16)
B4. Festtelegram (2:33)
B5. So Near/Flight On The Moon (5:26)

Musicians
Acoustic Guitar – Bjørn Aslaksen
Bass – Reidar Olsen
Drums – Tommi Haukland
Electric Guitar – Anders Bru
Lead Vocals – Magne Høyland
Violin – Sveinung Sand

Progressive rockband from Stavanger, Norway. They released only one record, "Bare En Blåveis" in 1976 with Johnny Sareussen as producer. The band consisted of Magne Høyland, Anders Bru, Bjørn Aslaksen, Reidar Olsen, Sveinung Sand and Tommi Haukland.
The album had all the right ingredients for a real progrock album in the 70s; long, improvisational solos, multi-thematic compositions, performances of classical and folk, parties with electric violin and drum solos. The lyrics was both in Norwegian and English and some of them collected by the poets Oscar Wilde and Hans Børli.
The band dissolved in 1977. Anders Bru startet Stavangerensemblet. Mange Høyland appeared in both Asfalt and Wasaband and Bjørn Aslaksen in Løgnaslaget and Ryfylke Visegruppe. Discog

April 28, 2018

Light Year ‎– Reveal The Fantastic (1974, CD, Usa)


Tracklist:
1 Giant Babies 6:16
2 Zada 3:54
3 Buggy Cadavers 8:49
4 The Story Of Two Small Objects 2:25
5 The Nocturnal Avenger Of Human Potential 2:55
6 The World 6:12
7 Aura / Open Windows 20:20

Musicians:
Bass Guitar – John Yu
Drums – Zak McGrath
Electric Guitar – Randy Sellgren
Electric Piano, Keyboards – Cornelius Williams
Percussion, Vibraphone – Doug Johnson
Vocals – Sharon Pucci


Light Year was formed in 1974, when drummer Zak McGrath joined forces with his friend and colleague, pianist Cornelius Williams, with the idea of putting together a band to play new music. They recruited Randy Sellgren to play guitar, who was also the guitarist on Mingo Lewis's album "Flight Never Ending". John Yu, the bass player, brought Doug Johnson to play percussion (vibes, marimba, hand drums and other bells and whistles). The singer Sharon Pucci joined later to complete the ensemble. The band was fortunate in having a fledgling manager, Sandy Einstein, who later went on to success with Journey and Mr. Big. Einstein's energy and persistence secured Light Year gigs at the best clubs in the Bay Area, as well as the reviews reproduced on this site, despite the definite oddness of their music. The one thing the band could not achieve was a record contract.
Light Year was, as a rule, admired by the public and reviled by club owners. They were also championed by such notable groups as The Tubes and The Sons of Champlin, who would persuade reluctant impresarios to let Light Year open for them. One exception was Todd Barkan of the well-known jazz spot Keystone Korner, who liked them and booked them on Monday nights--one of the few unsigned groups to play Keystone. But most clubs refused to book them more than once.
Their big "showcase" gig at the Starwood in Los Angeles was marked by record executives exiting the club en masse with their hands over their ears. Without a contract, and with the scarcity of gigs and money fraying their psyches, the band broke up after less than two years.

Roberto Colombo ‎– Botte Da Orbi (1977, Cd, Italy)



Roberto Colombo ‎– Botte Da Orbi ['mju:zik]-C3P8, Ultima Spiaggia‎–ZPLS 34012 Repost!

Colombo - Harris ‎– Astrolympix (1980, LP, Italy) Re-up!


Colombo - Harris ‎– Astrolympix (1980, Vinyl, Ciao CIA 1005) Repost!

April 27, 2018

Sigmund Snopek III ‎– Roy Rogers Meets Albert Einstein (1982, CD, Usa)

  
 
A truly unclassifiable artist, Sigmund Snopek III was relatively anonymous among the popular band THE VIOLENT FEMMES. The art of this iconoclast can eventually be related to that of THE MOODY BLUES and Kevin GODLEY & Lol CREME. An obscure album issued in 1972, the now famous "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf ?" was full of ambition: it's heteroclite Progressive rock taking after some of the early Frank ZAPPA, rock, classical or contemporary music, ethnic music and jazz, all in an audacious blend. On "Nobody to Dream" (1975), he blends refined neo-classical tracks, classic-pop orchestrated songs, pop-songs, elegant and airy melodies. "Thinking Out Loud" (1997) includes five added tracks, compared with the original 1978 version. Two years later, the fabulous "First Band on the Moon" could be heard as a true Snopekian manifesto ! "Roy Rogers Meets Albert Einstein" is an excellent 1982 millesime, characterized by a division in three works ("Ride in the Dark", "Roy Rogers Meets Albert Einstein).

April 22, 2018

England ‎– Garden Shed - Golden Edition (2015, 2xCD, England)

CD 1 Original Recording From 1977
1-1 Midnight Madness (6:55)
1-2 All Alone (1:52)
1-3 Three Piece Suite (12:57)
1-4 Paraffinalea (4:11)
1-5 Yellow (5:24)
1-6 Poisoned Youth (16:15)

CD 2 Bonus Tracks
2-1 Nanagram Live 2006 (5:09)
2-2 Carmina Burana (4:00)
2-3 Fags, Booze & Lottery (4:47)
2-4 The Ladies' Valley (7:42)
2-5 Masters Of War (4:27)
2-6 Three Piece Suite (Olympic Version, 1976) (11:44)
2-7 Heebeegeebee (5:37)
2-8 Nanagram (4:15)

Note: A release issued in a digipak. Includes an exclusive 28 page booklet with lots of artwork and photos, song texts, production & recording information about all songs and extensive private / background info about the bonus tracks written by Robert Webb. 
Several bonus tracks have previously been unreleased. Music remastered from the original master tapes.

April 21, 2018

Henry Cow – Radio Broadcast 1976 (1976, CDr, England)

Tracklist:
01 Radio Intro/ Erk Gah/ Terrible as an Army with Banners/ Improv (38:35)
02 Improv/ Living in the Heart of the Beast (11:14)
03 Living in the Heart of the Beast (3:58)
04 Interview (w/Fred Frith,Tim Hodgkinson & Linsay Cooper) (6:51)

Musicians:
Bassoon, Oboe, Recorder, Piano – Lindsay Cooper
Cello, Bass Guitar – Georgie Born
Drums, Percussion – Chris Cutler
Guitar, Violin, Bass Guitar, Piano, Xylophone – Fred Frith
Organ, Alto Saxophone, Clarinet – Tim Hodgkinson
Vocals – Dagmar Krause


Live 1976-11-10 Paris

Henry Cow - Bremen (March 22, 1978) + Monza (July 9, 1978)

Radio Bremen, Sendesaal - March 22, 1978
1) improvisation (32:49)
2) Half The Sky (5:19)
Monza - July 9, 1978
3) woodwind piece (4:50)
4) Industry (9:48)
5) Walking Against Sleep (3:16)
6) Fanfare (0:44)
7) Ruins variations (3:02)
8) free improv (4:08)
9) Virgins Of Illinois (4:48)
Encore:
10) Slice (0:34)

Musicians
Tim Hodgkinson: keyboards, Treated Guitar, Alto and Baritone Sax, Clarinet
Fred Frith: Guitar, Bass, Viola, Vibes
Chris Cutler: Drums, Percussion, Noises
Lindsay Cooper: Bassoon, Oboe, Soprano, Recorder
Ann-Marie Roelofs: Trombone, Violin, Toys

April 19, 2018

Opus Avantra ‎– Live Concerts Excerpts (2007, CD, Italy) Repost!

Songs:
Fiuggi, 12 Luglio 1989:
1. Canto Alla Notte (3:48)
2. Danza Degli Oggetti Liberati (5:14)
3. Vertigine (4:26)
4. Canto Prima Dell'Alba (3:04)
5. Canto A Un Dio Nascosto (3:54)
Venezia, 16 Dicembre 1989 (Scuola Grande S. Giovanni Evangelista):
6. Presentazione Di Alfredo Tisocco, Donella Del Monaco E Opus Avantra Da Parte Di Carlo Massarini (0:42)
7. Femminili Creature (Da Ritagli D'Anima) - Suite Per Pianoforte (1:24)
8. Canto Incompiuto (4:14)
9. Tics (3:46)
Verona, 2 Febbraio 1991 (Arena):
10. A Duchamp (5:08)
Thiene - Vicenza, 3 Giugno 1977 (Teatro Communale):
11. Fase Dello Specchio (2:52)
12. Ritmo Alfa (6:58)
13. Venezia Nella Nebbia (4:18)
14. Finale (3:30)
Milano - Cologno Monzese, 28 Marzo 1990 Festival New Age E Altri Suoni (Teatro S. Marco):
15. Ritagli D'Anima - Suite Per Pianoforte (10:18)

Line-up / Musicians:
Alberto Brendolin – Cello (tracks: 1 to 9)
Riccardo Perraro – Cello (tracks: 11 to 14)
Gianfranco Spigolon Meneguzzo – Double Bass (tracks: 1 to 9)
Alberto Crivelletto – Flute (tracks: 1 to 9)
Vincenzo Caroli – Flute (tracks: 11 to 14)
Tony Lee – Guitar (tracks: 1 to 9)
Eddy De Fanti – Percussion (tracks: 11 to 14)
Saverio Tasca – Percussion (tracks: 1 to 9)
Alfredo Tisocco – Piano, Synthesizer, Conductor (tracks: 1 to 9, 11 to 15)
Martina Pattenon – Viola (tracks: 1 to 9)
Enrico Professione – Violin (tracks: 1 to 9, 11 to 14)
Giuseppe Valtinoni – Violin (tracks: 1 to 9)
Pieregidio Spiller – Violin (tracks: 1 to 9, 11 to 14)
Donella Del Monaco – Vocals (tracks: 1 to 9, 11 to 14)


Alfredo Tisocco ‎– Ritagli D'Anima (1988, CD, Italy) Repost!

Songs:
1a Parte "Ritagli D'Anima"
1. Femminili Creature (1:47)
2. Ritagli D'Anima (2:10)
3. Giorni Come Sbarre (3:04)
4. Fuga Dal Carnevale (1:50)
5. Nella Nostra Stanza (2:36)
6. Incontro (5:56)
7. Altro Da Me (2:48)
8. Un Paese In Calabria (2:53)
9. Ritagli D'Anima (4:31)
2a Parte "Studi Per Concerto Da...Cameravuota N°12"
10. Occasioni Di Settembre (9:15)
11. Studio N°1 (10:19)
12. Studio N°2 (3:50)
13. Studio N°3 (6:42)

Musicians:
Alfredo Tisocco – Music, Piano [Pianoforte, Pianoforte Giocattolo], Producer

Alfredo Tisocco ‎– Ballett Collection (1994, CD, Italy) Repost!


Songs:
L'Aurora 3:26
Coincidenze 2:44
Danza Delle Frequenze 2:45
La Caduta... Del Tempo 12:24
Labirinti 5:33
Plastico Elettronico 10:46
Tics Percussion I 1:32
Rock Alfa 4:26
Tics 5:23
Tics Percussion II 1:23
Giocando Duchamp Vinci Leonardo 5:19
Toccata 3ª Finale 5:58
Sogno Inglese 4:13

Line-up / Musicians:
Tammittam Percussion Ensemble – Ensemble, Percussion
Luciano Tavella – Flute, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone
Maurizio Filippi – Guitar
Eddy De Fanti – Percussion
Alfredo Tisocco – Piano, Synthesizer, Organ, Percussion, Music
Enrico Professione, Pieregidio Spiller – Violin

(Recorded 1976-1994)

Opus Avantra ‎– Lyrics (1995, CD, Italy) Repost!

Songs:
1. Viaggio Immaginario:
- a. Parte 1 (2:39)
- b. Parte 2 (2:08)
- c. Parte 3 (4:23)
2. Misterious Japanese Suite:
- a. Parte 1 (5:29)
- b. Parte 2 (2:39)
- c. Parte 3 (2:35)
- d. Parte 4 (5:07)
3. Ballata (2:57)
4. Lirica Metafisica (5:20)
5. Danza Arcana (4:38)
6. Meditazione (4:55)

Line-up / Musicians:
Alfredo Tisocco / disklavier Yamaha, computer project, ensemble conductor
Donella Del Monaco / voice
Saverio Tasca / percussion
Enrico Professione / violin
Andrea Corsara / violin 
Pieregidio Spiller / violin
Martina Pattenon / viola
Stefania Cavedon / cello
Alberto Brendolin / cello, free interpretation (4)
Gianfranco Spigolon / contrabass
Angelo Lora / oboe
Alberto Crivelletto / flute
"Tammittam" Ensemble / percussion (5)

Alfredo Tisocco, Gruppo Italiano Di Danza Libera ‎– Kátharsis (1975, CD, Italy) Repost!

Songs:
1. Katharsis (1.11)
2. Galassie (5.57)
3. Tensione (3.29)
4. Il Tempo (3.14)
5. Ira (2.10)
6. Richiamo (5.03)
7. Ah Ben Si (3.45)
8. Katharsis (Voce Recitante: "Il Principio") (1.34)
9. Cristalli (2.27)
10. Impressioni (Voce Recitante: "Impressioni") (3.10)
11. Flying In The Wind (Voce Recitante: "L'Albero") (3.22)
12. Spiritual (4.35)
13. Caduta (2.39)
14. Katharsis (Voce Recitante: "Se") (2.58)

Line-up / Musicians:
Giorgio Piazza / Bass
Riccardo Perraro / Cello
Ensemble Gruppo Italiano Di Danza Libera
Vincenzo Caroli / Flute [Soprano]
Luciano Tavella / Flute, Saxophone
Renato Zanella / Guitar
Daniela Colonna / Harp
Paolo Siani / Percussion
Alfredo Tisocco / Producer, Piano [Pianoforte], Keyboards 
Enrico Professione, Pieregidio Spiller / Violin 
Gina Bianco, Gruppo Barry-Cat Sound, Susan Worsham / Vocals
Roberto Ronda / Voice

Opus Avantra ‎– Strata (1989, CD, Italy) Repost!

Songs:
1. Canto Della Notte (3:55)
2. Quiete E Tumulto (2:12)
3. Danza degli Oggetti Liberati (4:43)
4. Canto Incompiuto (4:09)
5. Vertigine (3:25)
6. Fase Dello Specchio (Duello) (3:47)
7. Canto Prima Dell'alba (3:10)
8. Tics (Palude) (3:01)
9. Titmo Alfa (Labirinto)- live  (7:27)
10. Canto Ad Un Dio Nascosto (3:37)
11. R.E.M. (11:26) 

Line-up / Musicians:
Alfredo Tisocco / piano, sintetizers (Yamaha, Korg, Roland)
Donella Del Monaco / voices
Vincenzo Caroli / flute
Pieregidio Spiller / violin
Manuela Rizzo / viola
Alberto Brendolin / cello
Toni Lee / guitar
Gianfranco Spigolon Maneguzzo / double-bass
Saverio Tasca / percussions

Opus Avantra ‎– Lord Cromwell (Plays Suite For Seven Vices) (1975, CD, Italy) Repost!

Songs:
1. Flowers on Pride (5:29) 
2. Avarice (5:26) 
3. Lust (3:53) 
4. My Vice (1:59) 
5. Ira (7:52) 
6. Gluttony (3:05) 
7. Envy (5:44) 
8. Sloth (4:32) 
9. Allemanda (3:03)

Line-up / Musicians
Alfredo Tisocco / Steinway and Fender piano, Hammond, synthesizer and Pipe organ 
Luciano Travella / flute 
Renato Zanella / Fender guitar 
Enrico Professione / violin 
Pieregidio Spiller / violin 
Riccardo Perraro / cello 
Paulo Siani / percussion, drums
Gina Bianco, Susan Worshap, Cindy Brasher, Carl Adams / vocals 
American Chorus Setaf

Opus Avantra Donella / Del Monaco - Introspezione (1974, CD, Italy) Repost!

Songs:
1. Introspezione (2:04)
2. Les Plaisirs Sont Deux (3:36)
3. La Marmellata (2:33)
4. L'altalena (5:35)
5. Monologo (2:37)
6. Il Pavone (4:52)
7. Ah, Douleur! (4:15)
8. Deliee (5:00)
9. Oro (3:30)
10. Rituale (5:45)
11. Introspezione (Integrale) (6:12)

Line-up / Musicians:
Donella Del Monaco / vocals
Alfredo Tisocco / keyboards, tastiere
Luciano Tavella / flute
Enrico Professione / violin
Pieregidio Spiller / violin
Riccardo Perraro / cello
Pierdino Tisato / drums
Tony Esposito / percussion, strumenti, effetti

Magma ‎– Theusz Hamtaahk Trilogie (2001, 3 x CD Box Set, France)

Superb performance live at Théâtre du Trianon in Paris during the Magma 30th Anniversary celebration on 13th and 14th May 2000.

Theusz Hamtaahk 1er mouvement: Theusz Hamtaahk
(composed 1970-1973)
Songs:
1. Malaẁëlëkaahm
2. Sëẁolahẁëhn Öhn Zaïn
3. Diëümb Iëẁëlëss Dölëhn
4. Zeuhl Ẁortz
5. Gorutz Ẁaahrn'
6. Tü Lü Lï /ë Üi Dü Wïï
7. Sé Lah Maahrï Donsaï
8. Slibenli Dëh Theusz
9. Zortsüng


Theusz Hamtaahk 2er mouvement: Ẁurdah Ïtah

(composed 1971)
Songs:
1. Malaẁëlëkaahm
2. Bradïa Da Zimehn Iëgah
3. Manëh Fur Da Zëss
4. Fur Dïh Hël Kobaïa
5. Blüm Tendiwa
6. Ẁohldünt Miëm Dëẁëlëss
7. Ẁainsaht!!!
8. Ẁlasïk Steuhn Kobaïa
9. Sëhnntëht Dros Ẁurdah Süms
10. C'est la vie qui les a menés lá!
11. Ëk Sün Da Zëss
12. De Zeuhl Ündazïr

Theusz Hamtaahk 3er mouvement: Mëkanïk Dëstruktïẁ Kömmandöh
(composed 1972)
Songs:
1. Hortz Fur Dëhn Stekëhn Ẁest
2. Ïmah sürï Dondaï
3. Kobaïa Iss Dëh hündïn
4. Da Zeuhl Ẁortz Mëkanïk
5. Nebëhr Gudahtt
6. Mëkanïk Kömmandöh
7. Kreühn Köhrmahn Iss Dëh Hündïn
8. Da Zeuhl Ẁortz Ẁaïnsaht
9. Kobaïa
Line-up / Musicians
Composed, Lyrics, Music By – Christian Vander
Bass – Philippe Bussonnet
Drums – Christian Vander
Guitar – James Mac Gaw (tracks: 1-1 to 1-9, 3-1 to 3-9)
Keyboards – Stella Vander (tracks: 1-1 to 1-9)
Percussion – Isabelle Feuillebois (tracks: 2-1 to 2-12)
Percussion – Stella Vander (tracks: 2-1 to 3-9)
Piano – Antoine Paganotti (tracks: 1-1 to 1-9, 3-1 to 3-9)
Piano – Emmanuel Borghi, James Mac Gaw (tracks: 2-1 to 2-12)
Piano – Stella Vander (tracks: 1-1 to 1-9)
Trombone – Fred Burgazzi (tracks: 3-1 to 3-9)
Trombone – Ronan Simon (tracks: 3-1 to 3-9)
Trumpet – Benoît Gaudiche (tracks: 3-1 to 3-9)
Trombone – Yannick Neveu (tracks: 3-1 to 3-9)
Vocals – Antoine Paganotti, Claude Lamamy (tracks: 2-1 to 3-9)
Vocals –  Isabelle Feuillebois, James Mac Gaw (tracks: 2-1 to 2-12)
Vocals –  Jean-Christophe Gamet, Julie Vander (tracks: 2-1 to 3-9)
Vocals –  Stella Vander

April 17, 2018

Nino Ferrer ‎– Métronomie (1971, LP/ CD, France)


In 1971, Nino Ferrer released the album Métronomie. This is a break with his usual known songs from the general public, style Mirza and Oh! Hey! eh! good! 1966 or I sell dresses and The Gherkin in 1969. It was popular songs with derision side. With Métronomie, Nino Ferrer puts his man jazz talents, it was early in the service of a musical experiment in progressive rock.
Nino FERRER meeting in 1971 the guitarist irlandai s Micky Finn, who introduced him to the English rock with prog. The latter went to Paris with his musicians join Nino Ferrer in his independent studio. This album will be one of the consequences.“
In this album there are several popular songs, more or less known and well-orchestrated manner blues and rock, the unconventional titles: Children Of The Motherland (critical of patriotism warrior); Cannabis (social commentary); Isabelle (criticism of conformist education, moral) and then two beautiful songs The House by the Fountain and P our forgetting that one is loved.
But there are also three main instrumentals: Métronomie, Métronomie 2 (see previous article), two very prog rock songs and Freak plus psyche.
The first title track of the album is an instrumental along 9 mn very successful, in which we see the infuence of Pink Floyd.
Despite the quality of the album, the media of the time have obscured. Barclay recording company probably did not bet on it. The prog rock was not "fashionable".
A month after the death of his mother struck by cancer for many years, Nino Ferrer shot himself in the heart in the middle of a field near his home, as he had begun recording with Leggs that he thought was his final album, continuation and end.
This article makes memory to this great musician and singer.
 When Nino Ferrer recorded this album in 1971, “Mirza” and “pickles” are far away. Nino listen to Soft Machine, Caravan, Yes, and all the British bands of the progressive scene. He spends his time at the mansion of Blanat where he composes, writes, takes drugs. On this record, Nino blew the barriers of French song, disappointing at the same time his audience baffled by this shift, the album sold poorly. The time will overcome this misunderstanding: the disc, which was pressed in small quantities, is now cult. It is hard for gold in record stores and on the internet sales platforms. We must now count between 50 and 150 € for a copy of “Métronomie”
-- A metronome oscillating between ecstasy and hallucinations --
The album opens with the music that gave its name to the work, a hallucination of nearly ten minutes. Nino free rein to his imagination and sets the tone of the album, definitely rock and psychedelic. He takes his time and does not hesitate to create different atmospheres, using sound effects and other effects studio at his disposal: reverbs, reverses, flanger, distos … On the second track, “The children of the fatherland”, which was pressed into 45 towers (single format for the time), Nino sings on a foggy music. Heavenly choirs support his deep voice, hovering above the music and plan Nino first. Never silences between songs, transitions are great and keep us in a permanent state of ecstasy.

“Cannabis” climax of the album’s second side opens with the masterpiece of the album, “Cannabis”. The music is brutal, musicians vie for perfection, the body floods us with tablecloths and cosmic jazz phrasing, the bass line continues to evolve and twirls in pregnant … Is Nino plays? I do not know. But he who holds the handle with four strings, he demonstrated genius. The rhythm is wild, alternating games jazz-rock and voodoo drums. In the text, Nino described drugs as an escape to the modern world. It addresses topics that affect us directly: immigration, pollution, underground junk food … Timelessness text reinforces the innovative character of the music. A delight!

Side A
A1. Metronomie (Organum Homo-Modernicus Contre Flying Dutchman Bertha) (9:05)
A2. Les Enfants De La Patrie (4:55)
A3. Metronomie II (2:19)
Side B
B1. Cannabis (4:45)
B2. La Maison Pres De La Fontaine (3:45)
B3. Isabelle (2:28)
B4. Freak (1:28)
B5. Pour Oublier Qu'on S'est Aimés (3:27)

Musicians:
Nino Ferrer: vocals
Giorgio Giombolini: organ
Alan Reeves: keybaords
Slim Pezin: guitar
Lucien Dobat: drums
Donald Rieudon: drums
Jean Mandengué: bass guitar
Sam Kelly: percussion
Pierre Dutour: trumpet
Krapoutchick: backing vocals
Bernard Estardy: hammond organ, piano

Nimal ‎– Nimal (1987, LP, Switzerland)

 
Created in 1987 by Marcel "Momo" Rossel, founder of experimental Swiss band DÉBILE MENTHOL, NIMAL were a kind of RIO supergroup that brought together an eclectic set of multi-instrumentalists from various avant-garde bands: U.S. artists Tom Cora from SKELETON CREW, CURLEW and Pippin Barnett from ORTHOTONICS, NO SAFETY, CURLEW; Jean-20 Huguenin from DÉBILE MENTHOL and Shirley Hoffman-Wolz from Swiss band L'ENSEMBLE RAYÉ; Slovenian artist Bratko Bibic from BEGNAGRAD, plus many others. Stylistically, they mixed their respective bands' styles with that of first-generation RIO bands (HENRY COW, UNIVERS ZERO, AMLA MAMMAS MANNA). Before their dissolution in 1992, they had toured throughout Europe and Canada and had released three albums.
Propelled by shifting folk-dance rhythms and wonderful sound effects, their style borders on world music. Their material is given a dictinct Eastern European, almost Gypsy flavour through the use of the accordion, bouzouki, hurdy-gurdy, cello and various percussion instruments in addition to the usual guitar/keyboards/bass/drum combo. A close comparison would be a slightly more frenzied version of SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA. All of their albums feature relatively short but catchy tunes (a rarity from an RIO band) and plenty of sonic goodies (yes, yodelling CAN be cool!). Of their three albums, "Dis Tanz" is the most varied and energetic but all are worth checking out.
Particularly recommended to SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA fans, especially those who like the band's later incarnation ("ZAMLA"). Progarchives

Songs / Tracks Listing
1. La semaine des quatre jeudi - Part I - IV (10:04)
2. Dimanche (2:46)
3. Animal triste (4:21)
4. La marelle (4:26)
5. Au zoo (3:55)
6. Un drame (2:06)
7. Le tram (1:44)
8. Maligne (3:07)

Line-up / Musicians
Jean-M. Rossel/ guitars, bass, accordion, hurdy-gurdy, bouzouki, piano, DX- 100, percussion, sound effects
Tom Cora / cello (6,8), bass (7), voice (2)
Pippin Barnett / (1) drums, percussion
Dominique Diebold / (4) drums
Victor de Bros / (4) piano, prophet
Gilles V. Rieder / (5) percussion
Didier Pietton / (2) soprano

April 14, 2018

5uu's - Live in Bologna, Italy (1995)

5uu's - Live in Bologna, Italy, March 24 1995

Setlist:
01 Equus
02 Comeuppance
03 Elements
04 Lycanthrope
05 Roan
06 Opportunity Bangs
07 Cirrus
08 Glue
09 Compromisation
10 Warheads
11 Well... Not Chickenshit
12 Truth Justice & the American Way
13 Geronimo
14 Goliath in the Sights

5uu's are: Dave Kerman, Bob Drake, Mike Johnson, Scott Brazieal

Antonio Russek/ Raúl Pavón/ Roberto Morales/ Vicente Rojo ‎– Música Electroacústica Mexicana (1984, LP, Mexico)


A1 - Antonio Russek - Para Espacios Abiertos (13:55)
A2 - Raúl Pavón - Fantasía Cosmica (9:10)
B1 - Roberto Morales - Agua Derramada (10:20)
B2 - Vicente Rojo - Vulcan (11:10)

Colección Hispanomexicana de Música Contemporánea Vol.3

Guido Mazzon - Il profumo della libertà (1992, CD, Italy)

Finally, there is an album that celebrates the great diversity of trumpeter Guido Mazzon's many talents as a composer, arranger, soloist, and jazz theorist. This set of seven long selections looks deeply into the many facets of modern music that Mazzon has explored and continues to exploit with his lyrical genius, radical approach to experimentalism, and his deep love of jazz tradition. In settings that range from duet to sextet, Mazzon and his collaborators -- which include the incomparably wonderful Ellen Christi -- look deeply into the roots of jazz's vanguard lineage to forge a true Italian avant-garde sensibility. The title track opens the album with a small motif from Ornette Coleman's "Lonely Woman," which is abandoned almost as soon as it is articulated in favor of a slow, languid, sweeping, wordless vocal from Christi. Mazzon solos around her, sliding lines in between her breaths and soaring over her voice as pianist Umberto Petrin creates a series of changes that can be referenced for tonal modalities over and again. When the full sextet appears on Mazzon's "Il Vecchio Sognava i Leoni," with Renato Geremia's violin and clarinet adding to a colorful grouping which includes Elenora Nervi's tuba, as well as the standard quartet of the previous selection, we hear the deep lyrical leanings of Mazzon toward Italian folk song and the way it articulates itself in free improvisation as thematic anchor and idiomatic stipulation in harmonic constructs and tonal lightning rod -- microtonal free association and whole-tone modulation intertwine through the center of a traditional melody and turn them both, as well as any idea of counterpoint, inside out. Hence, the influences of 20th century composers György Ligeti and Bruno Maderna come to mind. This is a brilliant record that showcases how wide-ranging the Italian avant-garde is in its thinking and playing. Most importantly, it showcases the compositional brilliance of Guido Mazzon, a jazzer who takes the music of the entire universe into consideration when he sits down to write. ~ Thom Jurek

Combojazz ‎– No Speed (1979, LP/ CD, Italy)


Great example of fusion between jazz & rock with a strong italian-mediterranean turn... special guests: 2 former members of Esagono (Giorgio Diaferia and Aldo Rindone) plus Gigi Venegoni (Venegoni & Co.).
Tracklist:
1. Verona (7:38)
2. Blue Bossa (7:18)
3. No Speed (4:20)
4. Pag.1 (5:59)
5. Teachers (8:32)
6. Walking (4:30)

Musicians:
Aldo Rindone: Piano, Electric Piano
Maurizio Gianotti: Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone
Giorgio Marotti - Electric Bass
Giorgio Diaferia: Drums
+
Pippo Calvagna - Electric Bass (tracks: 1, 2, 6)
Claudio Montafia: Flute (tracks: 2)
Gigi Venegoni: Guitar (tracks: 3, 4)
Claudio Bonade': Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet
Giorgio Ardrizzi: Trombone (tracks: 5)
Flavio "Dizzino" Boltro: Trumpet