Accordo Dei Contrari: UR-

It is said that honesty is always the best policy, well in that case I can admit I know nothing whatsoever about this particular band. So, with that little admission out of the way I’m approaching this album with a clear and open mind. A little research tells me that they are from Bologna in Italy and have been on the scene for some 20 years, and this is their 6th album.

From the very first strains of delicate piano that opens `Tergeste` its quite clear that the main influence on these guys are Mahavishnu Orchestra and to a somewhat lesser extent King Crimson and even at times I can detect a little Frank Zappa (at his free form best, may I add). It’s a mixture of Progressive themes, but also draws from the worlds of Jazz, Classical and straight ahead rock. It develops over the space of its 9 minute length into a complex energetic piece, and this theme is continued on into `Così Respirano Gli Incendi Del Tempo`, which has more of a cohesive melodic feel to it, dominated largely by the Saxophone and some very tasteful piano work.

`Più Limpida e Chiara di Ogni Impressione Vissuta (pt. III), really bears all the hallmarks of classic Jazz Fusion, striding confidently through its various movements which in turn gives rise to the virtuoso musicianship on display. The title track follows, and being the longest on show gives the whole band an opportunity to shine, and it’s also the first time we get to hear vocals courtesy of Patrizia Urbani, which adds another dimension to the bands work, it’s at time discordant, and others beautifully melodic, but it all works very nicely.

`Secolo Breve` is probably the most free form piece here, with its jagged rhythms and fussy percussion, which didn’t in all honesty float my boat too much, so it was left up to `Contrari ad Ogni Accord` to restore a little order to proceedings with its smooth, almost conventional Jazz leanings.

This album will take some listening to, to be able to enjoy fully embrace all the different styles on show, but in the main it’s a cohesive body of work that should appeal to fans of the artists I mentioned earlier in this review.

Track Listing
1. Tergeste
2. Così Respirano Gli Incendi Del Tempo-Thus They Breathe, Time’s Fires
3. Più Limpida e Chiara Di Ogni Impressione Vissuta (pt. III) -More Limpid and Clearer Than any Lived Impression (pt. III)
4. UR-
5. Secolo Breve- The Short Century
6. Contrari ad Ogni Accordo-Opposed to Any Agreement

Added: December 6th 2022
Reviewer: Malcolm Smith
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 1027
Language: english

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