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Gary Bamford Trio_God,Love&Other Myths_C

THE GARY BAMFORD TRIO

God, Love and Other Myths

(2017 – KINTU RECORDS – UK)

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https://garybamford.bandcamp.com/album/god-love-and-other-myths

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Those who are already fans, or have heard previous Gary Bamford releases are in for a treat on this, his 5th, full recording titled ‘God, Love and Other Myths’. From Swindon, UK, Gary has performed with a very long list of musical greats, and versatile could easily be his middle name. Comfortable with jazz, classical, and alternative styles, he has done soundtracks (check out ‘An Account Of A Savage’ for example), smooth warm classical jazz in the ECM vein (his debut ‘Jadj’, and also a double CD ‘Restrop Wood’, both with Ruth Hammond on sax, etc). Gary’s keyboard talent is apparent and as solid as they come. More styles explored and conquered would be his 2nd release ‘Soundtrack To Breathing’ which is as soothing and beautiful as keyboards can get. Classical, meditative, mostly electronic wonderland much like Ryuichi Sakamoto mixed with John Taylor. It is after listening to his entire output that one can more clearly see all the various inspirations Gary lists on the inside panel of this super nice multiple foldout digipak.

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‘God, Love and Other Myths’ was recorded with Gary Bamford – Keyboards, piano, spoken voice, Rob Brian (Peter Gabriel, Goldfrapp, Jason Rebello, Simple Minds, Siouxsie Sioux, Michel Polnareff, Jim Mullen, Andy Partridge, Hugh Cornwell, Modern English, Innes Sibun) – Drums, spoken voice and  Al Swainger (Pointless Beauty, Digby Fairweather, Snow Giants, Grice, The Art Trip, Annika Skoogh Quartet, Paul Jones, P.P. Arnold) – Basses, spoken voice.  This showcases yet more things possible in the world of Gary Bamford. A highly charged, with a coat of many colors, jazz rock in an opaque set of layers that slowly unveil. At times styles merge from hot avant rock and cool mysterious atmosphere, to playful (the 2nd track ‘Tiny Toon’) nearly Charlie Brown (composer Vince Guaraldi) music. The beginning is a loose funky number titled ‘Who’s This Prick’. One should not be alarmed at the spoken voice credits for each musician, as they do not dominate or even occur on each tune. In fact, they greatly enhance spots for a slightly dramatic effect and in a very tasteful manner. Out of 76 minutes from 13 compositions, the attentive listener gets an abundant variety and joyous journey of superb music. Very little is basic on this disc. Inventive effects are added often like on ‘Cove’ (track 3), a very laid back latin flavored tune that made me think of a mix of Santana (think ‘Borboletta; album) and Quiet Sun. ‘Chaos Reigns’ (track 4) gives off a Soft Machine vibe. ‘Madagascan Mascara Massacre’ (track 12) brings rock in the jazz mix that would be right at home on a  Matching Mole album (or nearly anything Robert Wyatt based). The final song ‘Johansson’ is a beautiful rich sombre acoustic piano dominated piece, with cymbal washes, toms to tympani effect, and subtle bass for punctuation. And then a nice percussive touch at the ending and a faint few words among the musicians as they bid farewell to the session.  So there you have a small set of examples of what lays beautifully on this album.

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The listener should simply enjoy the thinking persons (the trio) highly skilled creations. This is a project for lovers of adventurous jazz rock that goes out of bounds quite a few times, and is top shelf writing. Sometimes the superb Al Swainger’s bass reminds one of Hugh Hopper and Gary Bamford’s electric piano has a lot of Canterbury influences slipping out to excite. Rob Brian’s drums are akin to Charles Hayward (Quiet Sun, This Heat, Camberwell Now, and too many to list) much of the time. Everyone performs this ‘live’ music with pinpoint accuracy. The chemistry is astounding. RECOMMENDED.

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Reviewed by Lee Henderson 3 – 5 – 2018

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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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