BANTAM TO BEHEMOTH

Superb US side-project, evolving from the core of the excellent Deluge Grander.The leader Dan Britton handles the keyboards and some guitars and brings with him Brett D'Anon on bass/guitars and Brian Falkowski on sax, clarinet and flute.A new face, drummer Malcolm McDuffie, completes the line-up.The debut of Birds and Buildings under the title ''Bantam to Behemoth'' was recorded at various studios around Washington DC and was released in 2008, the second product of Britton's own Emkog Records.

Words are poor to describe Birds and Buildings' frenetic and extremely dense musicianship.Let's start by saying that they sound like a much jazzier version of DELUGE GRANDER with emphasis on music and without significant vocal presence, although symphonic hints are not absent either.Falkowski plays a major role in the group's sound.His tremendous work on clarinet and saxophone reveals a schizophenic sound with aggresive solos, loose themes and powerful drives.Combined with the very complex rhythm section, which is characterized by the ability to change tempos in a blink of an eye, the result is outstanding.The flute parts, although less pronounced, present a more ethereal and delicate side of the group.Keyboards are present in a constant groove.Bombastic loads of Mellotron, furious, jazzy electric piano deliveries and sharp use of synthesizers offer often dual, rich textures with jazzy, symphonic and orchestral leanings.The group seems totally tireless.Impressive interplays, haunting soundscapes, fast grooves and dominant solos are born through the endless tempo shifts and numerous time signatures in an album full of inspiring moments.If you want a description from famous groups, the best I could give would be if PETER GABRIEL and his flute would meet IAN MACDONALD's majestic Mellotron.Next step would be to hire ROBERT FRIPP on guitars, DAVID JACKSON from VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR on sax, DAVID STEWART from NATIONAL HEALTH on electric piano and Francois Emond from MIRIODOR on clarinet with drums provided by ARTI I MESTIERI's Furio Chirico.Orchestral movements meet Canterbury-styled Fusion meet R.I.O.-flavored Jazz Rock in long and complicated, mostly instrumental pieces.Outstanding stuff.

Grandiose, intricate and challenging Progressive Rock with a monstrous sound.Maybe too complex for fans of more traditional listenings, but the result is absolutely amazing with a weird, charming balance hidden behind this adventurous material.Highly recommended.