ADYTHON

Claudio Milano is an avant-garde vocalist and conceptualist who tries to bring together different arts such as music, visuals, stage, etc. He is one of the few artists today who is trying to do something new with his different projects (the NichelOdeon release from 2010 probably being his most well known work to date). He uses his voice as an instrument and recites the words (of his own or others) in a peculiar yet musical way.

On Adython, he collaborates with Belgian artist Erna Frassens who wrote the words here (sung in Italian) and came up with the overall concept. Stefano Ferrian plays tenor saxophone while Attila Faravelli and Alfonso Santimone use computers and electronics to come up with weird, constantly changing background sounds. Ultimately the effect is that of improvised avant-garde electronic music with improvised singing and saxophone playing.

Claudio is equally at home in avant-rock, avant-jazz or any other avant-whatever. His musical and in general artistic vision knows no boundaries. Adython is an album that would appeal to those who enjoy improvisational music. Although he is now listed here under 'prog electronic' this is the most electronic thing I have heard from him; some of his other music and projects can be closer to (avant) classical or (avant) jazz. I don't speak Italian but the way the vocals are used to recite the lyrics makes it seem that it doesn't matter what is being said to begin with; it's all in the delivery.

There are only two tracks on this album. To me the over 32 minute title track is the stronger of the two. Overall the whole album has a sound and feel of its own. I congratulate Claudio on this fine release and it is nice to know that there are still those artists who wish to push the envelope even if they know that not many will pay attention. This is music that is 'beyond prog' if you will, challenging and innovative yet may appeal to the more adventurous prog fan. I'll give this a 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.