LABIRINTO D'ACQUA

From Milano, Italy, Yugen was an idea of former The Night Watch'es guitarist Francesco Zago and drummer Diego Donadio.After a first demo in 2005 Donadio would leave his place to Mattia Signo and a huge-line up was constructed for the band's official debut: Paolo ''Ske'' Bota, who had played also with French TV, on various keyboards, Markus Stauss on sax and Stephan Brunner on bass, both from Avant-Fusion act Spaltklang, Giuseppe Olivini on cemballo, percussion and theremin, Elia Mariani on violin, Tommaso Leddi, who had been a huge force in the 70's with Avant-Folk act Stormy Six, on mandolin and flute, Avant-Rock veteran Dave Kerman on drums, member of 5uu's, Ahvak and U Totem, Peter Schmid on bass clarinet/bass flute, Massimo Mazza on marimba, glockenspiel and vibraphone, Maurizio Fasoli on piano, bandmate of Zago in Nichelodeon, and Marco Sorge on clarinet.All arrangements of the debut ''Labirinto d'acqua'' were credited to Zago, an album recorded between June 2005 and January 2006, released in 2006 on AltRock Productions.

''Labirinto d'acqua'' is a fresh, extremely rich and deeply fascinating effort of combining R.I.O., Jazz and Classic Prog into an attractive amalgam, characterized by an exclusive, instrumental sound full of quirky moves, abstract orientations and tricky interplays.It's a bit like HOWEVER or FRENCH TV with emphasis on complex twists and turns, powerful breaks and inventive interactions between the musicians, trying to link the ground between chamber orchestrations, Fusion craziness, symphonic keyboards and loose Jazz.It is one of these albums that reveals such a musical depth so numerous listenings are required to pinpoint even its last detail.The music is often bombastic, schizophenic and powerful with tons of changing tempos, interrupted occasionally by cinematic soundscapes and orchestral textures.Lots of Classic and Italian Prog references are evident throughout the album, a bit of MAXOPHONE and GENTLE GIANT vibes can be traced in many pieces.The majority though follows a Progressive/Fusion style with retro R.I.O. stylings, updated to the modern era due to the heavy use of synthesizers and the measured appearances of harder, electric guitars and adapting Mellotrons and organs from the vintage times in a highly complex mood.The dense and crazy instrumental parts remind me also of Americans BIRDS AND BUILDINGS, challenging, intricate and furious stuff with complelling musicianship, while the sporadic clarinet and violin scratches unleash a nice, folky taste in separate occasions.

Great debut by an experience leader such as Francesco Zago, who developed himself over the years to a composer of extremely adventurous music.Strongly recommended to all fans of R.I.O., Avant Prog or ultra-complex Progressive Rock...3.5 stars.