WORK IN PROGRESS LIVE

I can not tolerate you to miss this live album! (if you are my true prog mate) ...!

I knew Duty Free Area (D.F.A.) for the first time through couple of songs aired at a progressive rock program in Jakarta's classic rock radio sometime in 2000. And I initially only had 'Lavori in Corso' CD, which I accidentally found in used CD market for a relatively cheap price (US$ 7). What a great deal! Well, actually I don't know why people sold this excellent album to a secondary market. So, my knowledge about the band is very limited. But from my experience with this 'Lavori in Corso' I was impressed the first time I spun the CD. The music of the band gave me an impression of a blend of music from Gryphon, Ozric Tentacles, Island, PFM, Gentle Giant and King Crimson with some early Genesis style in some symphonic transition pieces. What truly amazed me is actually the musicianship demonstrated by each member of the band. Heavily dominated with the sound of keyboard, synthesizer and mellotron in most of rhythm section, however, the composition allows sufficient time for each instrument to perform the solo. From this standpoint, I can see clearly the virtuosity of each member of this four-piece band.

Onle later last year I got another two CDs from DFA when they performed their gig ini Jakarta, Indonesia: 4th album and 'Work In Progress'. These two CDs is nothing than excellent music, I love both of them, really! 'Work In Progress' is a live CD from the concert at the annual Nearfest festival in the USA in June 17th, 2000. Overall, the performance is really excellent which demonstrates marriages of sounds (and effects) produced by each instrument used, great interlude using keyboards, Fender Rhodes, guitar and dynamic drumming. In some compositions there avocal, but most of them are instrumental.

Right after a warm introduction by an MC, DFA enters with an ambient style with an opening track 'Escher' (10:08) followed by a dynamic music using keyboard and jaw-dropping drumwork. Even though the keyboard work is inventive and quite complex, multi-layered but the most entertaining part of this track is the drumming. The music reminds me to Ozric Tentacles. I really like it. The band then introduces themselves after the end of opening track followed with a vocal-based composition 'Caleidoscopio (9:16) in the vein of Italian Prog like PFM. At first the vocal is mellow but as it grows the music is very dynamic and again the drum work is excellent backed with dynamic bass-line, stunning guitar solo and multi-layered keyboards.

'Trip on Metró '(6:36) is completely Gentle Giant in instrumental with some flavor of King Crimson. The composition is quite complex with keyboard takes a leading role to bring the music upward. It's quite unique composition. Guitar solo takes its opportunity to perform at approx minute 2:00 with Fripp style. There are frequent abrupt changes in tempo throughout the song with keyboard provides inventive work at background.

Like previous track, 'La Via' (15:25) is taken from 'Lavori in Corso' album. Written by Bonomi and De Grandis, it serves like an epic as duration-wise it's relatively long. It starts off with bass guitar notes and moves slowly with soft entrance of long sustain keyboard work; it gives an ambient style. Vocal enters in mellow style. Guitar gives its shot in between vocal and gradually moves the music in crescendo with upbeat and complex arrangements, combined with keyboard solo. Overall style of this last track is mellow with symphonic rock elements and some spacey nuance.

The remaining tracks Pantera (8:10) with inventive keyboard and stunning guitar work plus great piano solo ; and Ragno (11:12) are both excellent compositions. The characteristics of DFA music are basically dynamic and relatively fast tempo with great solo work of guitars as well as keyboard.

Overall, this live album is an excellent addition to any prog music collection. I urge you to have this CD as the music is really entertaining from start to end. In fact, it has excellent arrangements in every segments of the CD. Very highly recommended! No doubt at all! Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild ? GW

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