NO NO NO NO

A brand spanking new prog band to emerge in 2023, ULTRAPHAUNA is the collaborative efforts of multi-instrumentalists Timba Harris (Estradasphere, formerly of Secret Chiefs 3) and Dorothy Wave (a.P.A.t.T.) formed somewhere in the vastness of the USA. While technically a duo, this debut NO NO NO NO features studio contributions from bassist Toby Driver (Kayo Dot and Maudlin of the Well) and drummer Joel Murray (also a.P.A.t.T.). Eclectic and varied, ULTRAPHAUNA has developed its own stylistic approach with notable influences ranging from Gentle Giant and jazz-fusionists Return To Forever to the whack job approach of Mr Bungtle and Estadasphere. If i had to tag this i'd call it chamber folk meets avant-prog.

A lengthy affair, NO NO NO NO features 10 tracks that that add up to 68 minutes of playing time. Quite a commitment for today's overtaxed music freak but one that is ultimately satisfying as each track delivers a distinct personality, brilliant creativity and a never-ending display of clever arrangements. The addition of the violin gives the entire thing a gypsy swing feel much of the time with catchy hooks and warm fuzzy emotive tugs. While most of the album is dedicated to instrumental workouts, Wave contributes some scattered vocals which work quite well to break the monotonous abstract tone. It appears her vocals are wordless and act as another instrument to weave around the already complex contrapuntal ethno-cinema-chamber-metal?go-round (as claimed on the Bandcamp site.)

It's an an interesting album for sure with moments that remind of Magma a la zeuhlish bass grooves and what sounds like a Kobaian chant and at other times sounding right out of the Secret Chiefs 3 playbook with knotty avant-prog otherworldliness only set in a proggy gypsy camp. Toby Driver was very much involved with this project and although he is not credited as a bonafide member he not only performs bass but does a stellar mixing job. Despite his involvement there is absolutely nothing on NO NO NO NO that resembles his most famous projects Kayo Dot or Maudlin of the Well. This is instantly likable prog that borrows from ethnic melodic sources and then teases it out into complexity with various references to the past but ultimately ULTRAPHAUNA sounds like no other and has earned a differentiation gold star from the start.

Conjuring up a whole plethora of moods and mirages, ULTRAPHAUNA scores in my world on this stellar debut. Noticeably missing form the lineup is the rock guitar which is replaced by the violin and keys which adds to its own idiosyncratic sound. From the gypsy swing opening "Spinlling From the Mouths of Babes" to the Secret Chiefs 3 sounding "Summoning The Maker" and Mahavishnu Orchestra inspired "Collidascope" to the ending quirky circus pop "Pearl," ULTRAPHAUNA proves itself as an instantly likable and creative force in the crowded world of modern prog. A band not only to look out for in the future but one that should be noticed now. Not a bad track on this one. Perhaps the one thing that could've been improved is the running time as the album is a lot to take in on a single spin as it does tend to meander but if you find yourself with the time to check it out, it certainly doesn't disappoint with no track that makes you want to skip.