D.F.A - Duty Free Area

D.F.A. — Duty Free Area

Probably one of the better Italian Jazz rock band to appear on the scene lately, I saw this band in Verviers along with another italian band . I went to see DFA and on the strenght of this album alone and I was pleased to have seen them as they reproduce the songs fairly closely. I called this Jazz rock but I might say Jazz prog as these fairly long numbers/songs have delicate ambiances and have very subtle vocals. The previous album , i have only heard small samples but sounded quite different to me.

Posted Tuesday, June 08, 2004, 11:04 EST | Permanent link

D.F.A. — Duty Free Area

Another fine prog band from Italy in the scene of 90’s progressive rock. DFA or Duty Free Area is a four piece band. The band displays their ability and strong sense of prog in their 2nd album which was taken by its name itself. I own their three albums only i.e. Lavori in Corso, DFA and a live performance album Work in Progress, being recording of their performance in NEARfest 2000.

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

Posted Friday, January 28, 2005, 05:34 EST | Permanent link

Track Listings

1. Escher
2. Caleidoscopio
3. Esperanto
4. Ascendante scorpione
5. Ragno
6. Malia

Total Time: 49:56

Line-up/Musicians

- Luca Baldassari / bass
- Alberto Bonomi / keyboards, vocals
- Alberto DeGrandis / drums, vocals, percussion, keyboards,
- Silvio Minella / guitar
- Giorgia Gallo / vocals (6)
- Alberto Piras / vocals (3)