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VOXFIRE
Fontis
(2019 - Orenda Records - USA)

https://orendarecords.com/0072-voxfire-fontis

https://voxfiremusic.bandcamp.com/releases

An absolute treasure of Middle Age and beyond pieces that are from select composers such as Alfonso X, Martin Codax, and many unknown authors, balanced with a modern take of studio marvel and a mostly contemporary (but a few age-old) and large array of instruments. The early music does not lose its character but gets new life and stimulating presentation on 'Fontis' (Latin for 'Source'), a grand third (the first two were just the trio of women doing pure early music) by Los Angeles group Voxfire. Now with special members

The three female vocalists are Samela Aird Beasom (Voice, Cello, Marimba, Percussion), Christen Herman (Voice, Marimba), and Susan Judy (Voice, Marimba, Percussion), who all have extensive histories in both solo and ensemble work in many areas, but especially ancient, opera, and avant-garde. Added to this chemistry are composer/arrangers and instrumentalists Nick DePinna (Trombone, Bass Trombone, Toy Trombones, Ukelele, Piano, Synthesizer, Percussion, Live Effects Processing) and Ross Garren (Harmonica, Piano, Toy Piano, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Synthesizer, Marxophone, Yamaha YC30 Organ, Harmonium, Accordion, Harmonetta, Marimba, Live Tape Delay, Live Effects Processing).  Some will recall DePinna did 'Nexus Music, Vol 1', which I reviewed recently. They both bring a tremendous amount of diversity to the gathering, with their skill in jazz, classical, and other genres. Icing on the cake is producer and Grammy-winning conductor, composer, and educator Peter Ruttenberg. Guest spots include Hitomi Oba - Tenor & Alto Saxophones, Flute/ Jens Kuross - Electronic Drums, Drum Set, Synthesizer/ LA Signal Lab & Noah Meites - Trumpet & Flugelhorn/ and Mark Beasom - Percussion. If this doesn't give you the confidence of a brilliant and talent filled project, you'll just have to listen for yourself.

The music explores styles that fans of Hildegard Von Bingen, VOX, and Estampie (both bands a 1990's early music hybrid ensemble who covered ancient music in a stunning fashion, with their first few releases featuring a heavenly female group of vocalists), trios like Trio Mediaeval, Varttina (from Finland), 4 piece modern eclectic group Tuuletar (also from Finland), and any devotee of chants and ancient melodies will adore. The modern extensions enhance and increase the impetus greatly, never having the effect of impurity, but lovingly create a progressive and utmost inventive result. The vocals are sung in many medieval dialects that were spoken in Spain and France in the 12th - 14th centuries (Latin, Galician-Portuguese, Provencal-Occitan, Ladino: Judeo-Spanish, and Arabic). Music from a cross section of ten centuries, the listener can imagine the varied settings of chapels, courts, and countrysides, transformed into the 21st century and perhaps the future.

Occasional drums, percussion, electronics, sax, piano, flute, trombone, ukelele, marimba, oddities, and even live tape delay, all allow the simple to become more dynamic, even more interesting and something new. All arrangements and recompositions by Ross Garren and Nick DePinna, except track 5 arranged by Jens Kuross, Nick DePinna, and Ross Garren. Voxfire weave a rich tapestry from the past with a beautiful formula, with more than enough variety and invention to peak the interest of music lovers seeking something fresh and miles beyond the ordinary. VERY RECOMMENDED.
   
    ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 10 - 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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