Accordo dei Contrari – Kublai, 2011, 🇮🇹
"Kublai" is the second album from Accordo dei Contrari and it offers a symphonic jazz rock that is clearly reminiscent of the 70s, but the whole thing is very varied, round and independent. There are still a few clear references to the past, but otherwise the music is quite original and offers a powerful to subtle, key-dominated, varied and very interestingly instrumented jazz rock. Guitarist Marco Marzo also contributes two compositions here (the first two). Marzo often puts himself in the limelight in other ways as well. Nevertheless, the keys (organ, piano, e-piano, synthesizer) are the defining, but quite varied sound element (especially the expansive jazz piano solos) on this album.
Occasionally, the jazz rock/retro mix is expanded to include other ingredients. First, there is the clear influence of Arabic music on “Arabesque”, by far the longest track on the album. In addition to the Arabic-inspired melody, it is above all the sound of the oud, an Arabic lute, that provides exotic timbres, especially in the first half of the piece. Another surprising splash of color is the singing, even if it's only used on one track. This is produced by none other than Canterbury veteran Richard Sinclair! Appropriately, L'ombra di un sogno (despite the Italian title, the song is sung in English) shows clear Canterbury borrowings, which manifest themselves above all in the typical, sparkling entrances of the e-piano.
The Italians continue where they left off with their strong debut. Intelligently composed and perfectly crafted fusion jazz rock. #accordodeicontrari#accordodeicontrariband#progrock#progressiverockmusic#progressiverock#progressiverockcommunity#progrockforever#progrockmusic#progrockcommunity#albumreview#albumreviews#progreviews#musicreview#musicreviews#progalbum#progband#jazzprog#progjazz#jazz