Mezz Gacano & Self-Standing Ovation Boskauz Ensemble - 2017 - Kinderheim

(58:20; Sasime Records / Almendra Music / Lizard Records)

Track list:
1. Okois Plaicja 1:45
2. Rop Lady Guast 3:01
3. Obbligando #1 1:48
4. Lioschi VIII 3:09
5. Stitik 1:40
6. Apefo Pafo 4:35
7. Lajaska Fukkja 1:16
8. K Sojalienju 2:56
9. Opsedale Spichiatrico 2:17
10. Counterpeel 3:00
11. Cerchio Di Permita Gravemente 2:34
12. Pic - Nic #1 1:14
13. Miss Hill Mary 2:40
14. Pic - Nic #2 1:08
15. Pic - Nic #3 1:27
16. Diamanda Galaxy 3:05
17. Bitter(n) Stormy Over Vesuvio 20:45

Line-up:
Mezz Gacano - guitars, synthesizers, percussion, drums
- SELF-STANDING OVATION BOSKAUZ ENSEMBLE:
Lavinia Garlisi - flutes
Dario Compagna - clarinet
Beppe Viola - saxophone, clarinet
Roberta Miano - violin
Mauro Greco - cello
Ornella Cerniglia - piano
Gianmartino della Delizia - hammond, synthesizer, harpsichord, keyboards, xylophone
Davide Pendino - cymbals, glockenspiel
Luca La Russa - bass
Simone Sfameli - drums
Francesco Tavormina - drums
with:
Tommaso Leddi - mandolin, bass
Gianni Gebbia - saxophone
Giovanni Di Giandomenico - piano
Giorgio Trombino - saxophone
Ruhi Nokoda - guitars
Luca Di Vizio - trombone
Yu Suwon - voice, percussion, gu-zheng, carillons
Valerio Mirone - bass
Simone Giuffrida - guitars
Danilo Romancino - drums
N'Hash - electronics
Naiupoche - electronics


Prolusion.
Italian project Mezz Gacano has been active since sometime in the late 1990s, and started releasing original material on albums sometime after the millennium. While the Progarchives website lists 6 studio albums by this artist at this point, when having a look at the albums sorted under this artist name on Spotify does make me suspect that there are a few albums not listed at the progarchives website. The album "Kinderheim" dates back to 2017, and was co-released by the labels Sasime, Almendra and Lizard Records.

Analysis.
Mezz Gacano as it appears on this album is a project that explore the more challenging aspects of the progressive rock legacy. This is a creation that focus on breaking, breaching and extending the boundaries as well as crossing the boundaries between styles and traditions. While they don't always go about this task in a manner that makes the end result a difficult listen there is a challenging factor that runs all the way through this album. And this is one of those creations that does demand an open mind and some prior experience in encountering music of a more difficult nature.

While the initial parts of this album unfolds as chamber music inspired creations alternating with compositions that have more of a distinct but also expressive jazzrock orientation, it doesn't take all that long before those initially firm boundaries are crossed and the landscapes explored heads out into waters of a more adventurous nature.

Chamber jazz and chamber rock and excursions combining such features starts to appear, minimalist classical music interludes are added to the palette too, and you'll never be too far away from a whimsical moment on this album either when it comes to that. Noise constructions are taken into the warmth here at a point too, and the impulses from free form jazz starts making appearances along the way too. And those fond of more atonal or unusual tone and timbre choices will have a lot of fun as this album develop too, especially if quirky or unusual movements and instrument details are matters of specific interest.

While I cannot say that everything that goes on here interest me at the same level as far as my personal taste in music goes, this isn't ever an album I find to be boring either. A lot of thought appears to have gone into these various excursions as well as in the manner that this album develops and unfolds. There's nothing haphazard over this, not even the songs that have a haphazard tinged execution. With a constant barrage of interesting moments and intriguing choices.

Conclusion.
This is one of those albums that appear to be tailor-made for an audience with a deep set interest in the most expressive and daring excursions inside the progressive rock universe. This is music that can be labelled as experimental as well as avant-garde, and presumably the Rock In Opposition description fits this bill fairly well too. Unusual music for a niche audience perhaps, but quite the nugget to stumble upon for those in that niche audience I'd imagine. Especially if they aren't already aware of this project or this specific album. A real treat of an album for the right and proper audience, but perhaps not quite as much for me on a personal and subjective level.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, September 2024

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/Mezkis/
https://www.facebook.com/SasimeRecords98/
http://www.almendramusic.com/
http://www.lizardrecords.it/