OXHUITZA

OXHUITZA is the project of one Luca Bassignani who is the guitarist as well as the composer of all the music here which is all instrumental. Fabio Zuffanti who needs no introduction produced it and helped arrange the music. This is a five piece Italian band with an interesting sound with those often powerful guitar passages combined with a variety of keyboards including Fender Rhodes, Mellotron, Minimoog, Hammond and more. The cover art is incredible but the art work on the cd and liner notes seems to clash with it being purple and blue and seemingly out of place. The music which of course is the important thing is a little inconsistant to my ears but there are some amazing passages, especially the atmosphere and dark mood that is often prevelant.

Up first is "#01" which is spacey to start before it kicks into gear quickly with an uptempo driving sound. Organ before 2 1/2 minutes joins in for a while then it settles back before 4 minutes but it's still fairly heavy. Some nice guitar and mellotron here. It sounds goofy 5 minutes in to the end but it's a good track for the most part. "Luna Di Maggio" is uptempo with synths out front pulsating. The synths become spacey as it continues to be fast paced. The organ takes the lead then the pulsating synths return like before. A dead calm follows and I love the mellotron after 3 minutes, then it kicks back in. "Nervi In Fibra Ottica" sounds really good as we get a dark mood with a beat, flute and more. It turns powerful 1 1/2 minutes in but the contrasts will continue. Check out the mellotron before 3 minutes. This is my favourite track.

"Kirky" has a cool sound to it as it's somewhat dark and at times powerful with piano coming and going. The synths lead before 2 minutes and there's a much better sound a minute later with flute but then the synths return quickly. Not a fan of this part. The piano and mellotron sound great though 4 1/2 minutes in. "Pixel" is heavy duty to start but it settles right down. I like the flute and guitar here. A Swedish vibe 4 minutes in then it turns heavy with riffing guitar and mellotron. The synths before 5 minutes are annoying. "Mano Di Luna" is my second favourite tune and the longest. Lots of mood and tempo changes on this one. Strummed guitar after 2 1/2 minutes as it brightens. Piano joins in then it turns haunting before 4 1/2 minutes. Amazing sound 6 minutes in with the guitar playing over top. An eerie ending as the album ends like it began.

I can't pull the trigger on 4 stars as I have too many issues with this despite the fact I really enjoy much of it.