RE>>ENTER

Four years after their self titled release from 2002 FONDERIA have returned with "Re>>Enter". It's a long one at over 73 minutes spanning ten tracks but these guys keep it interesting. A bass player has been added bringing them to a five piece and while those avant sections from the debut continue here they are not as common usually taking place in the form of electronics at the start of some tracks. Still jazzy for sure with those horns plus we get guest horns on some tracks. Not as diverse as the debut either and more melodic. Tough to pick a favourite of these as I feel both are solid 4 star records.

My top three would include the self titled opener with those experimental sounds to start before a guitar melody takes over with drums and more in tow. Love the electric piano just before a minute. Trumpet follows as the guitar melody continues. We even get a reggae rhythm 3 minutes in. A spacey calm follows before this uplifting section rises up before 5 minutes. Oh my! So moved by this. That trumpet melody from earlier is back. Another top three is "Leonardo" with the guest sax just adding to the trumpet here. So good. Again kind of a spacey start with those organ sounds before drums, bass and guitar join in. This is good then this is emotional. It turns more complex and intricate before themes are repeated. Heavier after 7 1/2 minutes with piano.

"Tor Pedone" is a long one at over 10 1/2 minutes and my final top three. Something about this reminds me of early seventies Jazz. That flavour changes after 2 minutes as the organ and clavinet get busy replacing the piano and horns. Another change around 4 minutes as we can hear trumpet blasts in the distance. Love that guitar melody after 7 1/2 minutes with drums and organ. It's building as the trumpet joins in. Again this is really good music.

A more accessible FONDERIA perhaps but there's still lots to chew on here. I'm just so impressed with the compositions in this all instrumental affair.