Elephant9

Michael Baryshnikov написал(а) к All в Dec 18 16:37:40 по местному времени:

Нello All!

Залит Elephant9/(2018)Greatest_Show_OnEarth

Предпоследние заливки этого года - день слонов.
Первым идёт отличный альбом хорошо известной нам группы Слон9.
Меллотрон + стик = что ещё надо настоящему олд-проггеру?
Всё очень и очень здорово - красиво, технично и интересно! Непонятно название альбома, поскольку я никаких отсылок ни на шоу, ни темболее - на самое великое шоу не услышал, но это - не самое главное.
ВЕСЬМА ВЕСЬМА ВЕСЬМА РЕКОМЕНДУЮ!

Enjoy!
WBR, Michael Baryshnikov.

--- wfido

Michael Baryshnikov написал(а) к All в Nov 21 11:06:28 по местному времени:

Нello All!

Залит Elephant9/(2021)Arrival_Of_The_NewElders

Новый альбом Слонов.
На этот раз он, скорее, джазовый, чем роковый, хотя, особенно в конце диска, "обязательная проговая программа" присутствует. Мне он показался смесью Манфред Манна 60-х и Кинг Кримсон 70-х... как-то так.
На самом деле, сказть тут особо нечего - диск просто великолепный и никак не менее!
ВЕСЬМА ВЕСЬМА ВЕСЬМА РЕКОМЕНДУЮ!!

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Arrival of the New Elders
Elephant9
Jazz Rock/Fusion, 2021
(c) Review by prog_traveller!!, PA

On their sixth studio album, Elephant9 are much more calm and focused than usual. But what does quiet mean for the Norwegian trio? The the three piece that revolves around keyboardist Ståle Storløkken as well as the rhythm faction Torstein Lofthus (drums) and Nikolai Нængsle (bass) do without wild and rampant escapades, but once more material from the border areas between jazz and progressive rock is skilfully merged.

The structured and focused approach gives the music more compactness and more cohesion in terms of content. The slightly dreamy note in particular sets an interesting counterpoint to the lively bar sequences. Seen over the entire duration, the constant excitement, the uncertainty of improvisation is missing, but the withdrawal gives the music at the same time a casual vagueness with a cinematic touch.

The album consists of eight tracks with a total duration approaching forty-four minutes. Releasing longer albums with premiere material doesn't really make sense. It is then difficult to maintain an equal level and build an appropriate drama. Arrival of the New Elders is not concerned with these issues. It was quite a good idea to start the album with a rather subtle, unhurried title track, dominated by the sounds of electric keyboard instruments by Ståle Storløkken, supported by an expressive rhythm section, and sometimes also a piano. The pace only increases in the second on the album "Rite of Accession", driven by the energetic playing of the rhythm section, accompanied by sharper, distorted sounds of an electric piano or organ. Нowever, for balance, the melotron parts are also interwoven here, and a lot of acoustic guitar played by the bassist Nikolai Нængsle.

'Sojourn' and 'Tales of Secrets' are two short pieces, one dripping like the sounds of waters from an underground lake, while the other takes us back to a smoky jazz bar. 'Throughout The Worlds' is an extraordinary opus in an expressive and a little melancholy jazz register. 'Chasing the Нidden' is more experimental and highlights the playing of continuum and gruff guitar accents. 'Chemical Boogie' brings the rhythm back to the fore but continues to break convention with an aggressive mellotron and spectacular takeoffs. We end the trip with 'Solar Song', a languid register and a slower tempo. Nothing complicated and very effective.

I must admit that it is very pleasant to listen to. The sound is great, with all those old school keyboards and a distinct rhythm section. I also like the way the musicians play, on the one hand refined, showing a large instrumental workshop, but completely devoid of showing off their skills. The trio definitely focuses on team play.
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Enjoy!
WBR, Michael Baryshnikov.

--- wfido