AGORÀ 2

1. "Punto Rosso" (5:29) presenting a very smooth WEATHER REPORT-like sound with some excellent nuanced drumming from Mauro Mencaroni, rich Fender Rhodes work from Roberto Bacchiocchi, very solid rhythm support from bass and guitar, with excellent reverberated saxophone play from (both?) Ovidio Urbani (and/or) Nino Russo. Very comforting and engaging. (9/10) 2. "Pyramid di Domani" (6:06) pensive guitar, keyboard, and percussion play support some excellent CORRADO RESTUCI-like acoustic guitar play over the first two minutes of this, then bass, drums, and AREA/VDGG-like organ play link up to provide a base for the "distant" saxophone to play. Quite a nice weave with lots of nuanced work from each and every one of the instrumentalists. (9/10)

3. "Tall El Zaatar" (8:29) another WEATHER REPORT paletted song with some nice generic leads from electric guitar and saxophones while drums and percussion provide plenty of nuanced entertainment. Fender Rhodes and bass get some lead time in the sixth minute before Renato Gasparini is given the green light to show off his guitar chops. The two- note bass-line is a bit to restraining and monotonous to build an entire eight minute song over, so I am grateful for the foray into free jazz in the eighth minute. (17.5/20)

4. "La Bottega di Duilio" (5:56) a walk on the wilder side as drummer Mauro Mencaroni and guitarist Renato Gasparini fly around on their prospective instruments while the bass, sax, and keys try to balance things out with some more sane play. I like this song and its "controlled chaos"--it definitely helps elevate the band in my esteem to know that they can do complex two-fronted stuff like this. (8.875/10)

5. "Simbiosi (Vasi Comunicanti)" (5:33) a solo Fender Rhodes opens this with some pensive chord and note play before saxophone joins in. The entire song, then, becomes a dance and duet between Roberto and Ovidio. (8.75/10)

6. "Cavalcota Solare" (8:42) a pensive bass riff feeds this one as cymbals, Fender Rhodes, saxophone, and frenetic percussion play power this one into open water. At the very end of the third minute the whole band kicks into a solid RTF-like power weave but then return to the pensive course after only about 15 seconds! Then Roberto takes a turn to bang out his own attempt at a frantic solo until 4:11 when the band switches back into the fourth gear power theme in order to support some fiery electric guitar soloing from Renato Gesparini. It's nice to hear Lucio Cesari have a chance to fly around the fretboard of his bass as well as to hear Mauro set free to bang around on his full drum kit. At the five minute mark we're back into the pensive theme but you can tell the musicians are restless: having had a sample of freedom and unbound expression they want more. Roberto plays a cool chorused Fender solo with a little input from Ovidio on the side for a minute or so before the band unleashes another attack into the open fields/open sky. Settling into a nice marching groove they all take the song out with a collectively joyful-yet-restrained and symbiotic power weave. Pretty cool and inventive tune! (18.25/20)

Total Time 40:15

Exhibiting a very well-produced, clean sound with highly-proficient and creatively nuanced performances from all musicians on all songs (though especially from drummer Mauro Mencaroni), this definitely represents an album of high quality jazz-rock fusion--one that is doing more to prolong the Third Wave of the movement's evolution despite its smoothness and melodic sensibilities.

B/four stars; a near-masterpiece of Jazz-Rock Fusion; an excellent example of mature, smoother jazz-rock fusion. Though the album overall did not earn exceedingly high marks, it feels better than this. Highly recommended-- especially for fans of Weather Report-like music.

Share this AGORA review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to BrufordFreak
• Report this review (#3087940)
• Buy AGORA music online with PA partners
• Show all AGORA MP3/Stream
• Go to AGORA page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Agorà 2 page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for AGORA related discussions