Record Reviews

BANDA ELASTICA ~ AI TENCARGO LUNA NEGRA 22 ~ MEXICO ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1999 - 2003 Released: 2003 1st album from 2003 by this new sensational Mexican Prog band Banda ElasticaFind albums by this artist, recorded over en extended period of time. In contrast to other Mexican Prog bands (CastFind albums by this artist, etc.), which play mainly Symphonic Prog, Banda Elastica venture into much more advanced teritorry, bordering on free jazz, experimental music and RIO. Astonishing and most refreshing musical approach and some devilishly clever music!

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CAST ~ A LIVE EXPERIENCE MUSEA 4288 ~ MEXICO ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1995 - 1998 Released: 1999 This superb live album was recorded during performances given by the best Mexican Prog band in the years 1995-1998. Studio albums by Cast are a great experience, but here they really show us what they can do, stretching and improvising on their melodies. Several tracks go over 20 minutes long and the vibrant atmosphere and supportive audience are felt throughout the album.

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CAST ~ AL-BANDALUZ MUSEA 4512 (Barcode: 3426300045126) ~ MEXICO ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2003 Released: 2003 Double album from the Mexican Symphonic Prog masters CastFind albums by this artist. The spirit of YesFind albums by this artist and other past greats is alive and well and Cast certainly know how to play the right notes. This set includes two lengthy epics (over 30 minutes each), as proper for Symphonic Prog, and other shorter pieces which are equally interesting. Their many fans need no encouragement to get this one.

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CAST ~ CASTALIA MUSEA 4399 (Barcode: 3426300043993) ~ MEXICO ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2000 Released: 2001 This album recorded live in Italy is an excellent introduction to this great Mexican Prog band CastFind albums by this artist, as it contains material from several of their earlier studio albums. The level of musicianship is evident right away are the beautiful melodies they so craftfully essemble. If you know nothing about this group this is the one album to start with.

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CAST ~ COM.UNION MUSEA 4716 (Barcode: 3426300047168) ~ MEXICO ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2007 Released: 2007 Mexican Prog Masters CastFind albums by this artist are the country’s most stable and consistent representative of the genre. Formed in 1978 by keyboards player Alfonso VidalesFind albums by this artist, the bend went through numerous personnel changes over the years, but always managed to maintain a very high musical standard playing Symphonic Prog at its best. With over 20 albums under their belt (studio, live and compilations) they are surely very prolific, producing steadily at least one album a year. In addition the band is also the organizer and host of the annual Baja Prog Festival in Mexicali, Mexico – one of the very few festivals dedicated exclusively to Prog. This album (latest so far) is another typical Cast production, with multi-layered keyboards and screaming lead guitar dominating the mostly instrumental pieces. This time the compositions are relatively concise (averaging in about 6 minutes each) in contrast to the 30 minutes long epic creations featured on several earlier albums. Alfonso Vidales composed all the music (as usual) and he plays a myriad of keyboards with skill and evident genius. Guitar and flute solos ornament the music, which flows between lyrical ballads and highly energetic powerful eruptions. Definitely a must for all Cast fans around the globe and a great introduction to the band for those who are not familiar with their music so far. Highly recommended!

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CAST ~ IMAGINARY WINDOW NOT ON LABEL ~ MEXICO ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1999 Released: 1999 1999 album by the great Mexican Symphonic Prog band CastFind albums by this artist, considered by many to be one of the best Neo-Prog bands ever. Although well based in the Prog tradition (especially Genesis), they play an up-to-date version of symph with skill and feeling. Great compositions. English lyrics.

Updated: 21/09/2021Posted:

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CAST ~ LAGUNA DE VOLCANES ROCK REVELATION 001 ~ MEXICO ~ Progressive Rock Mexican Prog band Cast takes a look at their past with revamped recordings of their earlier material spanning between 1994 and 2000. The new versions are much extended and mature, sparkling with excellent musicianship and innovative ideas. Also all the songs are now in their native Spanish, rather then in English as originally recorded. A superb summary and a great addition to their overall output.

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CAST ~ LEGACY MUSEA 4339 (Barcode: 3426300043399) ~ MEXICO ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2000 Released: 2000 Cast are the best Mexican Prog band and this album is another great release which justifies their international fame. Excellent musicianship and great vocals create a true Prog feel, reminding the great founders (Genesis) but being firmly in the present with modern sound and use of studio technology. Cast are very prolific and hopefully their output will continue on the same level.

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CAST ~ NIMBUS MUSEA 4573 ~ MEXICO ~ Progressive Rock Mexican Prog band Cast manages to produce a regular once-a-year new album since several years now, which is remarkable and considering the high quality of their output truly admirable. This 2004 release is a concept album consisting of a long suite broken into several sub-parts. The level of musicianship is excellent as always and suely Cast are one of the best conteporary Prog bands around today.

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	CASTA ~ I AM GYPSY ALULA 1010 ~ SPAIN ~ World Music & Folklore A great Spanish group playing a mixture of Flamenco and Gypsy music. Highly energetic with virtuoso guitar solos. Very authentic as opposed to the stuff done by Gypsy Kings.
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ETTORE CASTAGNA ~ EREMIA ALFA MUSIC 251 (Barcode: 8032050022024) ~ ITALY ~ World Music & Folklore Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022 This is a stunning album by Italian singer / songwriter / multi-instrumentalist Ettore CastagnaFind albums by this artist recorded with some twenty of his friends from many different countries, who add vocals and play a plethora of traditional and contemporary instruments, creating an entire universe of music. The album presents eleven original songs by Castagna. Born in Calabria, Castagna shows on this album strong Mediterranean musical influences, both vocally and even more so instrumentally. The multitude of instruments, which can be heard on this album, reveal a spectrum of Cultures, which encompasses African shores, the entire Middle East and of course Italian traditions, several languages like Greek, Arabic and local Calabrian dialect, and of course the thousands of years of history of the cradle of Civilization, which flows in the veins of the People, who live in our region. The Folkloristic aura clearly dominates the album, although it includes many layers of more modern musical genres, including Pop, Rock and the wonderful Italian balladry, which simply cannot remain hidden for long. The songs are very melodic, but the arrangements take the listen on a magic carpet ride over the Mediterranean, as far as Persia in the East, returning always to the heel of the Italian boot, one way or another. This is definitely a very intense journey, especially for listeners less familiar with the intricacies of the many rhythms and sounds of the vast Middle Eastern Culture, which might seem a bit outlandish at first encounter. But this is a fantastic exposure to the riches, which although out there for all to discover, are not encountered by most European listeners in their everyday contact with music. Overall, this is a bold, highly absorbing and unusual musical adventure, combining music from European and non-European Cultures in a coherent amalgam and beautifully put together, which goes way beyond just a collection of songs. Castagna manages to create a powerful, highly Artistic and superbly aesthetic homage to Mediterranean Culture from his own Italian perspective, one of the most successful I have ever encountered. Hats off!

Updated: 11/02/2023Posted: 11/02/2023

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

CASTLE CANYON ~ GODS OF 1973 BOTTOMFEEDER 05 (Barcode: 884502065268) ~ USA ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1973 - 1974 Released: 2009 Great album by an obscure US Prog keyboards trio Castle CanyonFind albums by this artist, which was active in early 1970s but never released the material they composed and recorded at the time. As far as one can figure from the liner notes, parts of the material were recently recorded and re-recorded by the band’s leader / keyboardist Erik Ian WalkerFind albums by this artist, but basically it does not matter, as the original 1970s sound is still there. Walker, who composed all the music, is surely a gifted player and his control of the many keyboard instruments is beyond reproach. Bassist Fred ChalenorFind albums by this artist and drummer Paul EliasFind albums by this artist support the leader flawlessly and the entire effort is a heaven on earth for keyboards fans, bringing fond memories of Emerson, Lake & PalmerFind albums by this artist, NiceFind albums by this artist and other memorable keyboards based ensembles. Considering the fact that not much of interest is happening, finding lost gems from the past is always a pleasure. Go for it!

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FRESU / DI CASTRO / TAYLOR ~ CONTOS EGEA 039 (Barcode: 8015948000397) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1993 Released: 1993 This is a beautiful album by the international Jazz trio comprising of Italian trumpeter / composer Paolo FresuFind albums by this artist and bassist / composer Furio Di CastroFind albums by this artist and British pianist / composer John TaylorFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, four by Fresu, three by Di Castro and two by Taylor. The music is delicate and highly melodic / melancholic, totally acoustic and intimate in nature. The three musicians support each other amicably and they all solo extensively, offering truly sublime display of their musicality and brilliant technique. The trio format allows for each and every nuance and note played to be perfectly audible and the magic of the music created together lasts for the entire duration of the album, regardless if the music is played in the trio, duo or solo format at each specific moment. Fresu, one on my personal favorite European trumpeters, is a unique romantic, creating heartbreaking little touches like no other. Taylor was a Genius on unparalleled proportions and every touch of his fingers on the keyboard is a display of Artistry. Di Castro is one of the most imaginative and colorful European bassists. Together the trio perfectly symbolizes the European Jazz aesthetics and sophistication. The album was released on the Italian EGEA label, which is one of several excellent Italian labels, which offer numerous British and British-Italian Jazz recordings, like CAM Jazz and several smaller ones, all of which are worth following for listeners interested in first class European Jazz recordings. Overall, this is a beautiful album, delicate and fragile, full of super interplay between these Master musicians, and although recorded thirty years ago, is completely timeless and sounds exactly as relevant and convincing as it did at the time of its release, and as such is of course wholeheartedly recommended.

Updated: 03/02/2023Posted: 03/02/2023

CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend

HOWARD RILEY / MARIO CASTRONARI / TONY MARSH ~ WISHING ON THE MOON FMR 014 ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1993 Released: 1995 British pianist / composer Howard RileyFind albums by this artist is primarily known for his numerous improvised solo piano recordings and duets with fellow improvisers, like Keith TippettFind albums by this artist. As one of the greatest pioneers of British / European Improvised Music, he achieved in time a legendary status among his peers and fans alike. In contrast to his solo / duo recording, Riley’s piano trio albums are often reflections of his more lyrical and gentle side, bringing up his Jazz roots. This delightful album is no exception. Supported by two superb musicians, bassist Mario CastronariFind albums by this artist and drummer Tony MarshFind albums by this artist, Riley delivers, what might appear as an almost “conventional” Jazz album. Of course there is nothing conventional about his exceptional improvisational ability or the performances by all three musicians, but the overall effect of the album is more acceptable to a listener, who might find it difficult to face Riley’s “usual” output. Of course some of the pieces on this album are freely improvised and others are melodic, but the album’s immediate “appeal” is magical. This is a great example of masterly performed music, which escapes classification and goes directly to one’s heart. Most warmly recommended, especially to listeners who are not familiar with this great musician and could use this album as an entry point to discover a new world of music.

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HIROMI UEHARA / EDMAR CASTANEDA ~ LIVE IN MONTREAL TELARC 888072037212 (Barcode: 888072037212) ~ JAPAN ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is a live duo album by Japanese pianist / composer Hiromi UeharaFind albums by this artist and Colombian harpist / composer Edmar CastanedaFind albums by this artist, recorded during the 2017 Montreal Jazz Festival. The album presents nine tracks, including a four-part suite, five of which were composed by Uehara, two by Castaneda and two more are by other composers. Since her arrival on the Jazz scene Hiromi (her stage name) took the world by storm, dazzling fellow musicians and fans by her incredible technique, virtuosity and energy. She is certainly one of the most amazing concert artists, which I have been lucky to witness many times. Now, two decades later, she has already an impressive recording legacy, including several duo recordings, including one with Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist. This duo album with harpist Castaneda, which is an amalgam of Jazz and South American Folkloristic elements, is full of energy and brilliant exchanges between the two musicians, and despite its somehow unusual sonic vistas, emphasizes the fact that Jazz knows no stylistic limitations. Castaneda’s harp sounds often more like an expanded guitar and his parts are a perfect companion to Hiromi’s arpeggios and dazzling interplays. This is another example of “Art of the Duo” at it’s very best. Overall, this is a superb live album by two great musicians, who originate from opposite halves of the globe, but manage to create a perfect cooperative effort together. For Hiromi’s many fans worldwide, this is of course a must, but all lovers of somewhat uncommon Jazz should be delighted.

Updated: 26/02/2024Posted: 26/02/2024

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