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DUTY FREE AREAD.F.A.Jazz Rock/Fusion |
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Quickly announcing its colour, the opening Escher pulls a very Ozric-ian soundscape, courtesy of Bonomi, but De Grandis' drumming is the star of the show. This track is such an enjoyment that its 8-min+ doesn't overstay its welcome, in spite of its repetitiveness. The following Caleidoscopio is rather different, a slow-starting affair gaining momentum and once on top, the feeling is of a space/Gong-esque ELP (plus guitar) and symphonic overtones are there, with guitarist Minella pulling some Hackettian lines. Clearly since their start DFA has been under the wings of its bigger brother Deus Ex Machina and here singer Alberto Piras has a go at the third track called GG-inspired Esperanto (the hopeful universal language that never came to be), here sung in Italian alone. Unfortunately for DFA, Piras' personality is simply over-powering, and we're having this track transformed into a DEM track.
The two instrumentals Ascendente Scorpione and Ragno) are both in the space-rock mould, sometimes between Ozric and Gong, the former being similar to the opening track, while the latter is more in line with Caleidoscopio with its symphonic intro. The closing Malia gets another guest singer in Georgia Gallo, but it's the weakest track on the otherwise excellent album.
DFA's second album is just as worthy as their first, despite the surprising different musical direction - let's face it, we're not used to have Italian groups diddling with space-rock. With just two albums under their belt, DFA has the particularity of being Italy's brightest 90's band, IMHO, of course.

After listening to their music I would like to say that the drummer Alberto de Grandis and keyboard player Alberto Bonomi are the key persons of the band. In this recording, these two guys had composed all materials. The drum playing of de Grandis is the most attractive parts in the band. As to the music, DFA can be described as a fusion prog which combines with elements of spacey psychedelic, jazzy and symphonic (but not much).
Let's go to the details, 1st track ESCHER, s spacey psychedelic instrumental song, with medium tempo. This song displays how superb the drum playing from de Grandis.
2nd track, CALEIDOSCOPIO, a Gentle Giantish typical song, started with a mellow sound of keyboard but surely after that the tension gets higher.. along with the male vocal from de Grandis.
3rd track, ESPERANTO, a jazz rock typical song but sounds very progressive, a male vocal contributed by Alberto Piras, the frontman of DEUS EX MACHINA. An acrobatic opera typical vocal... This is an interesting piece.
4th track, ASCENDENTE SCORPIONE, an instrumental track, the sound similar to 1st track.
5th track RAGNO, still an instrumental song, but now opened with the kinda sound of symphonic with keyboard parts take important roles. This the longest track in this album, repetitive style is the main color of this track. Bonomi shows his virtuosity in keyboards playing.
Last track, MALIA, can be described as a prog ballad, using the female vocal from Giorgia Gallo. One of the finest typical of female vocal I love very much that performed in this beautiful song
I don't think I can find the weakness point in terms of music, song compositions and arrangements. One of the weakness, I think the bass playing which was played in this album by Luca Baldassari. He was supposed to be mach more attractive, even tighter that what he was. I think it would be wonderful, if he could play in the way of Jonas Reingold of Flower Kings way... ;-) But anyway, this is a good stuff, worth to buy and Highly recommended..
Anto Sulistianto - Indonesia Prog Lover

"Escher" is one of my favourites. Deep bass sounds opens as synths swirl about. Guitar comes in grinding out some melodies.The guitar takes off as it's played with some energy before 3 minutes. The percussion before 6 minutes is cool. Sounds like fuzz organ 8 1/2 minutes in. Nice. "Caleidoscopio" is a mellow, relaxing song with vocals. We get some spacey synths plus vibraphone. It starts to get heavy but not for long. This is really good ! Vocals are back 4 minutes in. Lots of keys and spacey synths as drums pound away. Quite jazzy 5 1/2 minutes in with some excellent guitar a minute later.
"Esperanto" features the vocals from the singer (Alberto Piras) for DEUS EX MACHINE. D.F.A. have been compared to this fellow Italian band, but they're not as crazy. Alberto actually produced D.F.A.'s debut album and signed them to his label. He can sing man ! This song is an uptempo Jazz / Fusion style song with the vocals arriving 3 1/2 minutes in. Guitar, synths and keys all share the spotlight. "Ascendente Scorpione" opens with light drums and synths.The sound then becomes more powerful as this contrast continues. "Ragno" has some great angular guitar in it. More Jazz / Fusion with spacey synths coming and going. Quite the haunting and spacey atmosphere 7 minutes in. Some great guitar follows as drums and keys join in.Nice sound. Angular guitar is back 11 minutes in. "Malia" is another terrific track. Beautiful instrumental work as female vocals come in. Male vocals join in as a support. This is very laid back with synths. Gorgeous song.
I think this recording will please a lot of people. It crosses into a few territories. Highly recommended.



D.F.A created quite a successfull formula on the Lavori In Corso album. So it speaks volumes about this band's courage and not at least; abilities that they have changed course in these stormy waters and gone for a slightly more adventerous route.
This album is much more a fusion of jazz, space rock and ELPism like symphonic prog than on previous album. D.F.A really surprises me here. Not at least when they also have Genesis like melody lines too. That made my eyebrows really stand vibrate. The Italian vocals should indicate some RPI influences, but they are not. The music is much more like vocals based Jazz than RPI. There are also some Canterbury scene influences here. And that more in the direction of Caravan than the likes of National Health. But it is obvious that D.F.A is influenced by National Health and Hatfield & The North too.
In short; this is a huge mouthful.
Despite of changing course, D.F.A has again pulled off a great album..... again ! The musicianship is absolute top notch. The melodies are great. This album is a very good example of how to be progressive as a band. It is an exploration of musical landscapes too. In short; this is a great album. Nuff said.
4 stars

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