As the human body is composed of a synergistic network — the vital organs, the live bone matrix, the nervous system and sensory organs, and an enveloping porous skin — the music of Italy's new progressive entity Yugen is a collision between rock, jazz and classical in that the players' respective parts are often as different as puzzle pieces that never seem compatible — that is, until all are interlocked and subsequently integrated into one cohesive shape. Guitarist Francesco Zago (formerly of The Night Watch), keyboardist Paolo Botta (Mellotron, Minimoog, electric piano, organ), and pianist Maurizio Fasoli inject most of the project's symphonic plasma, while bandmates Elia Mariani, Massimo Mazza, Peter Schmid, Marco Sorge and Markus Stauss — among others — specialize in the "avant" brushstrokes of this sweeping mural by way of violin, vibraphone, marimba, glock, bass flute, and saxophones. Still, that is the stuff generalizations stem from, and these concoctions of one Yugen amount to nothing less than engaging, intricate and beautiful music that is at times melodious and never exactly cacophonic, while jarring segments do manifest throughout the fifty minutes of Labirinto d'Acqua. All this, plus the machinations of sound engineering wizard Udi Koomran of Ahvak fame — and on one track, drum demi-god and fellow Ahvak alumnus Dave Kerman.
Several of these numbers are arrangements of pieces by Erik Satie, like the crafty solo piano opener, "Sévére Réprimande"; the controlled chaos of electric guitar, acoustic and electric piano, and synth yelps (with a 'Tron outro) on "Brachiologia"; and the final track, "Incubi Concentrici," which consists of shimmering piano and synth textures, deep brass notes, precision drumming and sequencer-like passages (though no programming was employed). Interestingly, there are many parts that could be transposed to synth and consequently be more palatable to those with an aversion to quirk (though any quirky goings-on are purely phantom sightings).
The format for Labirinto involves the odd-numbered tracks as short interludes, and the even-numbered as the fuller, more engaging pieces — obviously, not all of the players participate on every single track. "Omelette Norvegese" boasts a smorgasbord of pitches emanating from only violin, synth and bass flute. The carnival-esque vibe of "Danse Cuirassée" is realized with harpsichord and tenor & soprano saxophones, while "La Mosca Stregata" takes the slow boat in on a brooding fog of isolated piano notes, 'Tron strings and bass clarinet. "Skellotron 003" is described as an evocazione for four Mellotrons — delectable, indeed, but abominably short.
"Catacresi" is an immediate example of a full onslaught, guitar, bass, keys and vibes leading the way, topped with some 'Tron strings; at 1:47 a quieter section emerges with lovely interaction between piano, clarinet and violin before reverting back to a heavier (electric) scheme at 2:30 — [Schmid's] tuba squirrels its way in, to boot. A chameleonic "Corale Metallurgico" is the most accessible track on the platter, in a sense; Kerman lends his skills to this three-act vehicle which covers RIO, prog and fusion. The section from 3:09–3:53 is a brief yet dynamite slice of balls-out, piano-led symph-prog along the lines of Banco or Nuova Era. From 5:03 to the finish line the territory runs close to fusion. "Quando La Morte..." again treads the overlapping corners of symph and avant styles, and will draw such remarks as Ahvak–meets–PFM.
On top of all this, Udi Koomran's mix is as successful as the composers' venture is, musically. Cutting so many instrumental parts into perceivable sonic shapes can result in a ball of mud and confetti, so to speak, but Udi's technique is second to none. And while the Press is busily comparing Yugen to Tipographica, Il Berlione, Univers Zero and the like, the wary prog fan is bound to find a serviceable middle ground on this adventurous debut.
Tracklist:
1. Sévére Réprimande (0:50)
2. Catacresi (6:35)
3. Omelette Norvegese (1:07)
4. Corale Metallurgico (7:33)
5. Danse Cuirassée (Periode Grecque) (1:03)
6. Brachiologia (3:11)
7. La Mosca Stregata (0:56)
8. Quando La Morte Mi Colse Nel Sonno (9:23)
9. Skellotron 003 (1:23)
10. Le Rovine Circolari (6:53)
11. Anastomosi (1:28)
12. Danze Corazzate (3:49)
13. Labirinto d'Acqua (1:21)
14. Incubi Concentrici (4:42)
Total time – 50:14
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