ZERO

What an interesting find for me, this collection of short musical vignettes that strike me as mini-soundtracks for moments of one's life. Ecfonetica is the collaboration of musicians and composers Stefano Calandrelli (keyboards) and Walter Possieri (guitarist, multi-instrumentalist). Since 2014 they have been creating soundscapes that sometimes fall under progressive rock and other times progressive music, but always they are playgrounds for the imagination. Expressing either moments of beauty or moments of strangeness/exploration seem to be the intent here in lieu of "traditional prog rock." This is a group with more in common with the avant-garde chamber music collectives but with different instrumental choices than strings. This is largely a piano/guitar album, and it is completely instrumental.

Being a huge fan of piano playing of this style---slower, slightly melancholy, and meditative---the first half of Zero is right up my alley. We are treated to five pieces of music with introspective piano accompanied in places by acoustic and electric guitar but no drums. Imagine if you will a combination of Gilmour's style on "The Narrow Way" with Wright's playing during the gentle first half of "Sysyphus, Part II." That isn't a perfect analogy because Zero is not looking to emulate Pink Floyd here, but those specific parts mentioned will give you some general idea of what to expect. The next three tracks (6, 7, 8) introduce drums and a more conventional song feel that doesn't grab me as much as the first five tracks do, but they're still good. The last two songs drop percussion again and return to the experimental feel of the earlier album. Stefano's "Anime" is glorious and melodic solo piano while Walter's "Spire" is trippy, textural guitar (and bass) painting. This is a perfect album for active listening on a rainy day.