Sounding somewhat like a mix of Lark's Tongue in Aspic, Fred Frith's Gravity, Bartok string quartets and McLaughlin's Indo - fusion, Moraine's Manifest Density draws on Progressive Rock's past, but synthesizes something totally fresh and new at the same time. With two string players on board they are able to expand further on the violin-rock sound initiated by Mahavishnu Orchestra and King Crimson. In fact, it's that seamless mix of semi-sting section and jazz-rock trio that is the hallmark of this band's sound.

Although this band can improvise on a scale comparable to the best fusion bands, their love of progressive rock composition often makes them more similar to jazzy prog-rock bands such as Focus or Quiet Sun. Meanwhile, their tendency to favor heavy diminished scale riffs with odd-metered rhythms will bring on the Mahahavishnu/Crimson reference again. To their credit though, despite all the obvious tributes to their favorites of the past, Moraine never sounds cheaply derivative or short on original musical ideas. Also, their tendency towards the occasional 'pretty' melody or chord progression makes them different from the harsher members of the jazz-rock set. Album closer, Middlebrau, in particular recalls a classic escalating 'prog-rock' chord progression, but with a more modern less indulgent approach.

Like many of the artists on the Moonjune label, Moraine has a very pure 'live' sound with little or no overdubbing or slick studio technology. The exact antithesis of ambient nu jazz, acid jazz, trip-hop or much of today's post-Laswell neo-psychedelic music, the individual musical lines of each player can be clearly heard and they are not buried beneath reverb, echo and a plethora of modern 'dubbing' techniques. If you are looking for a modern and original extension of bands like King Crimson, Henry Cow and Mahavishnu Orchestra, Moraine has it.

Cant think why Micky, very photogenic!

 

And great reviews from Raff and HT, makes me green with envey.

It has been absolutely perfect weather for about 6 weeks here in So Cal.  Everyday with a few low clouds to start the day with afternoon sun about 73 every day.  I had to take a trip to Florida for a couple days last week and I about melted.  85 and 70% humidity.  

Then I had to stop over in Phoenix and it was 108.  (Don't give me this stuff about a dry heat!) You couldn't even get near the windows in the terminal.   I can't imagine anyone sitting for 4-5 hours in the heat to watch a show!   

The one and only time I got to Nearfest was in 2005 and only to see the Preshow but  during the whole week prior only the Sunday July 3rd was really hot. (We sat through an enactment of Pickett's charge at Gettysburg and it was sweltering!)  The rest of the week we spent a lot of time outdoors too visiting Gettysburg, Antietam and Harpers Ferry and the weather was pretty mild.  Even spent one night in NYC where it rained like crazy. So I can't relate to how hot it may have been there.  But mostly for me is the really high humidity.  Just putting on my shoes in the morning makes me sweat!! 

BTW lest I forget great reviews by both Raff and HT.  One of these days you guys need to get out to our less spectacular but more cozy CalProg shows.  Jim has a pretty good lineup this year with Ambrosia (playing a special prog rock set), rpwl, District 97 and MirtIKon