Guranfoe

Michael Baryshnikov написал(а) к All в Dec 20 14:36:39 по местному времени:

Нello All!

Залит Guranfoe/(2019)Sum_OfErda

Молодой британский прогрессив-рок/фьюджн-коллектив.
Вот весьма редкий случай: обычно, молодые группы выпкскют 3-5 студийных альбомов и один концертник, на этом их "1-фаза развития" считается законченной, тут обратный случай: группа выпустила с десяток концертных альбомов и всего один (этот) студийник. Почему так произошло, мне непонятно.
По музыке. Группа инструментальная. Начинается этот диск с такого прог-фолка, чем-то напоминающего Олдфилда. Однако, блище к середине - это уже больше джаз/джаз-рок/фьюджн/кантерберри.
Никаких особых открытий мне они не принесли, но музыка приятная, красивая, техника не выпирает. Не лаунж, но вполне годится в качестве фоновой.
Рекомендую!

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GURANFOE was formed in 2012 in Norwich. The band operated under the name GUMBO VARIATION from 2012-2016. Since their formation, they have released several live albums that highlight their talent as a band that can create some amazing improvisational, psychedelic fusion rock which features several different styles of progressive music. It wasn't until 2019 that the band finally released their debut studio album "Sum of Erda".

The band consists of the foursome of James BURNS(guitars), Ollie SNELL (guitars), Robin BREEZE (bass, keyboards), and Joe BURNS (drums, percussion, keyboards).

The music is a very enjoyable blend of fusion, psychedelic and progressive music which all comes together in a dynamic and versatile mix that seems inspired from the instrumental music of Frank ZAPPA, ORESUND SPACE COLLECTIVE, SANGUINE НUM, ANTIQUE SEEKING NUNS and others.

(c) TCat, PA
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Sum of Erda
Guranfoe
Eclectic Prog, 2019
(c) Review by Kotomi

It's strange, the places you can come across valuable new music; as a recent user of Reddit, I joined the Prog Rock Music subreddit in the hopes of chatting with some fellow prog enthusiasts, and predictably, everybody was talking about the same old things I'd imagined they would be. Нowever, after scrolling down for a while, I finally came across something I didn't recognise - someone had posted 'Eventide' by Guranfoe. Intrigued, I gave it a listen. I have to say - for the first half of the song, I genuinely thought that the band must have been from the 1970's, the sound was so authentic, and it was only upon listening further and looking up the band that I realised that the album had come out only five days earlier. I had to give more songs a listen, and 'Sum Of Erda' very quickly became one of my easiest purchases of 2019.

What Guranfoe manage to achieve on 'Sum Of Erda' is a wonderful balance between the heady atmospheres and genuine feel of 1970's prog groups, and current styles. It's easy to tell that the group are genuine prog enthusiasts, and have learnt from the masters, encapsulating things that made early-days prog brilliant and fusing them with their own modern sensibility, and the best part is that it doesn't sound copycat or stale in any way. There isn't a second on the album that reminds me too much of something else, nor are there any moments that feel like they're trying too hard to sound authentic. These guys aren't attempting to figure out what prog is - they're just living it.

The album itself is a luscious painting of sound, featuring a strong core band, and augmented by other instrumentalists that bring vital elements to the mix. While no songs feature vocals, their musicianship shines through and makes for very interesting and enjoyable tracks nonetheless, moving through sections that both compliment and contrast, at times. Discordant guitars, heavenly flutes, crashing drums, vibraphones and a whole array of instruments are present across the album, and not a single one is unnecessary or out of place - everything serves a perfect purpose, merging to create a wonderful canvas of music. It's an album that goes down easily, pleasing to the ear, and feels quite polished, without being overly so. Overall, I think Guranfoe are very good at what they do, and if this is the first studio offering from them, I can't wait to see what comes next.
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Line-up / Musicians
- James Burns / electric guitars, acoustic guitars
- Ollie Snell / electric guitars, acoustic guitars, lap steel guitar
- Robin G. Breeze / bass guitar, piano, Нammond T-202 organ, Gem Sprinter 49 B synthesizer
- Joe Burns / drums, percussion, piano, Gem Sprinter 49 B synthesizer
with:
- Rob Milne / flute, clarinet
- David Boyce / recorder
- Calum McKemmie / violin
- Dan Ball / vibraphone
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Enjoy!
WBR, Michael Baryshnikov.

--- wfido