Oxhuitza
is a project that began life in 2011 on the initiative of guitarist
and composer from Fivizzano Luca Bassignani and was named after an
ancient Maya archaeological site. In 2013 an eponymous début album was released on
the new independent label Mirror Records, recorded at the Hilary
Studio in Genoa and produced by Fabio Zuffanti and Rossano Villa.
Along with Luca Bassignani (electric and acoustic guitars), the
musicians involved during the recording sessions were Rossano Villa
(Hammond organ, Mellotron, Minimoog, Fender Rhodes, vibes,
percussion), Carlo Barreca (bass, flute), Christian Giannarelli
(drums) and Gabriele Guidi (piano, Hammond organ, Minimoog). The
result of their efforts is a nice, fresh concoction of vintage and
modern sounds that is really worth listening to. The album is
completely instrumental but in the booklet you can find drawings,
pictures and words that contribute to set the right atmosphere.
The
opener “# 01” seems to evoke a cosmic, frenzied ride in search
for light and space. There's a sense of exotic mystery and some
sudden changes in mood and rhythm. On the notes of the following
“Luna di Maggio” (May Moon) you can find “a new light in front
of a new beginning” and run freely under the moon, then you can
relax quietly in the night carried away on the wings of your dreams,
waiting for a new burst of energy.
“Nervi
in fibra ottica” (Nerves of optical fibre) features a slower pace
and darker musical colours. Here math rock patterns are intertwined
with evocative flute lines and jazzy passages where “the soul gets
cool, the machine becomes human and plays, cheats, seduces...”. The
following “Kirky” is another dark track full of mystery. There
are some disquieting passages where tension and rhythm rise, then a
short, dreamy acoustic section full of hope where the previous
tension melts for a while. Well, try to imagine a land covered by an
intricate forest with high trees pushing their roots deep into the
ground and their branches up towards the sky, then listen to the song
of the brook that flows there...
“Pixel”
is a good track featuring sharp guitar riffs and calmer passages,
exotic flavours and echoes of ancient myths. It leads to the
conclusive “Mano di luna” (Moon hand), a long, complex piece
featuring some delicate melodies and a dreamy mood where the
musicians pick their way unerringly through a labyrinth of different
sensations and styles. On the whole, the album might be a bit short
(only about 37 minutes) but there are no fillers and the final result
is absolutely good.
Oxhuitza:
Oxhuitza (2013). Other opinions:
Michael
“Aussie-Byrd-Brother”: Although the occasional quirky elements
grate on me a little, this really is a perky cracker of an album,
that not only continues the 2013 tradition of superb Italian
releases, but top-quality instrumental albums from this year as well.
This self-titled work from Oxhuitza proves just how vibrant and
thrilling the modern progressive rock scene is, and talented young
bands like this will ensure the genre thrives for years to come...
(read the complete review HERE)
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