Record Reviews

ALEX MAGUIRE ~ BREWED IN BELGIUM MOONJUNE 022 (Barcode: 692287902223) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Recorded: 2007 Released: 2008 British pianist / composer Alex MaguireFind albums by this artist has been associated with the Canterbury scene as the man behind the keyboards in several ensembles led by Canterbury heroes, such as Pip PyleFind albums by this artist and Phil MillerFind albums by this artist, as well as a member of the reformed Hatfield And The NorthFind albums by this artist. Extensive touring all over Europe led Alex to meet many distinguished European musicians, among them the Belgian guitarist Michel DelvilleFind albums by this artist, with whom Maguire developed a special rapport. Several years later Maguire and Delville met again, forming a sextet comprised of leading Belgian musicians, captured performing live on this album. The music played by the sextet, composed mostly by Maguire, is similar in spirit to the Canterbury scene Jazzy excursions, spiced with Fusion, Free and other delicacies. Extensive soloing, superb interplay and an atmosphere of camaraderie can be easily sensed here, resulting in some truly uplifting music produced by these musicians. A must to all Canterbury fans!

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WRONG OBJECT ~ AFTER THE EXHIBITION MOONJUNE 055 (Barcode: 692287905521) ~ BELGIUM ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 This is a "live in the studio" album by the Belgian ensemble The Wrong ObjectFind albums by this artist, a sextet founded by guitarist / composer Michel DelvilleFind albums by this artist, which also includes saxophonists Marti MeliaFind albums by this artist and Francois LourtieFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Antoine GuenetFind albums by this artist, bassist Pierre MottetFind albums by this artist and drummer Laurent DelchambreFind albums by this artist. Two guest musicians also take part in the recording: vibraphonist Benoit MoerlenFind albums by this artist (on six tracks) and vocalist Susan ClynesFind albums by this artist (on one track). The album presents eleven tracks, all originals composed by the ensemble members. The music of Wrong Object is a fascinating amalgam of RIO, Jazz-Rock Fusion, Free Jazz explorations and a Zappaesque mayhem, which somehow makes a perfect sense to the listener. It is diverse and ranges from a melodic ballad, like the only vocal piece on this album, to multilayered improvised pieces with energetic and expressive soloing. The pieces are often quite complex, changing tempi, using odd meters and so on, but eventually the music is completely coherent and above all interesting at all times. The heavy / rough Rock guitar sound and the more Jazzy brass sound balance each other quite perfectly. The melodic content is very dominant, even though the ensemble tries not to emphasize it openly. The level of individual performances is excellent, as is the interplay between the ensemble members. Wrong Object is one of the few contemporary ensembles associated with the Prog scene, which manages to consistently produce interesting and intelligent music album after album, contrary to the boring and repetitive music played by most of the Prog scene protagonists. This album finds them expanding their milieu and trying new directions, as every ambitious group should, and their success to evolve and develop is quite remarkable. They proudly continue the European individualism, like their fellow countryman Universe ZeroFind albums by this artist, being among those who justify the connection between Progressive music the Prog idiom. Overall this is a great album, which lasts for many listening sessions and always allows the listener to discover new intricacies with every encounter. Unrestrained by conventions and narrow-mindedness these musicians are able to take you places you have not visited earlier. Highly recommended!

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