Taxology - 2026 - A Deep Dive in the Colourful and Mysterious Garden of Mr. Taxology

(43:21; NOS Records)

Track list:
1. Introductio ad Hortum 1:41
2. Azadirachta Excelsa 4:06
3. Mandragora Caulescens 2:54
4. Aceranthus Sagittatus 1:02
5. 094 3:40
6. Michelia Aenea 3:56
7. The Garden 1:54
8. Flower no. 1 2:44
9. Flower no. 2 2:41
10. Flower no. 3 3:41
11. Clara Lunaris 4:22
12. Daphne Mezereum 2:32
13. Celtis Australis 2:39
14. Mellow 3:06
15. Pieris Japonica 2:23

Line-up:
Andrea Rizzi  - drums, percussion, bass, guitars, keyboards, vocals, mandolin, viola
Giuseppe Bitonte - guitars, bass, keyboards, vocals, piano, saxophone
with:
Wladimiro Rizzi - piano, keyboards, guitars
Bruno Vergani - voice
Stefano Piancastelli  - guitars
Elio Di Menza - guitars
Lorenzo Marcoleoni - clarinet
Piergiorgio Mingolla - clarinet
Luca Filpi - flute
Andrea De Carlo - flute
Francesco Lomagistro - timpani, glockenspiel
Giacomo Campa - timpani
Gabriele Briganti - cello
Vincenzo Vitti - cello
Irene Urgesi - violin
Matteo Franze - saxophone
Eryk Nowacki - sitar


Prolusion.
Italian twosome Taxology was formed back in 2024 by two young Italian musicians. In the spring of 2026 this duo released their debut album "A Deep Dive in the Colourful and Mysterious Garden of Mr. Taxology" through the label NOS Records.

Analysis.
I suspect that the main key word to be used to describe this production is psychedelic. This is a mainly instrumental conceptual album, transporting us through a dreamlike and otherworldly garden of mysterious and mystical sounds and descriptions.

There isn't one distinct aspect of psychedelic or progressive music explored here either. While often cold and firm sounding, this isn't a challenging creation either, with moods and melodies taking turns to dominate the compositions or with one of these dominating a composition throughout. Unusual tones and timbres and a bit of an otherworldly sounding display are the key traits throughout, with otherworldly being more common here than sounds I'd describe as cosmic.

We do get some visits into landscapes that can be more closely defined. On a couple of occasions we are taken into territories that have a bit more of a Floydian vibe to them, in more ethereal as well as more brooding manners. If not all the way through, then at least for substantial parts of a composition. On the other side of this we have one token instance of a song that incorporates reggae elements  into an otherworldly context, with other instances where Americana and arguably even dub inspired music are treated in the same manner. Alongside one token excursion into a dreamladen, folk-tinged landscape that wouldn't have been too much out of place on an album by early days Camel.

Otherwise I'd describe this album in general as quite the experimental blend of folk music elements, vintage era progressive and with a little bit of jazz impulses thrown in for good measure. This is also an unpredictable affair, and one of those cases where an argument could be had for sorting this one under experimental music or progressive music. As to my mind at least, both of these may well apply.

Conclusion.
This debut album by Italian duo Taxology is a production to seek out by those who tend to be fascinated by music that exist in the more unusual parts of the music universe. Very much a dreamladen and psychedelic affair, with liberal amounts of experimental as well as progressive features, and more often than not with a sound to it that reminds me of the 1970s to a much greater extent than 2026. A solid, striking and unusual foray into experimental dreamladen landscapes if you like.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, August 2026

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/nosrecordslabel/