newdawnofprog
Extremely dynamic and powerful, almost hypnotically intense, the band is often in motion. But there are also more delicate moments, often characterized by acoustic guitar interludes, sometimes enriched with electronic and tape recordings. Keys, bass and percussion create a dense jazzy-prog base over which the wind instruments solo, and all of this sounds particularly like brass rock. Keys and bass are very dominant and ensure clear Canterbury references.
"On to the present day, where there are still bands celebrating the sound of Canterbury, with probably all of them nowadays coming from all over the world. Like for instance Amoeba Split from Galicia in north-western Spain. Founded in 2001, they soon followed with a half hour long three track EP. Seven years later, on their debut longplayer Dance Of The Goodbyes, they convinced with a sound reminiscent of Caravan and Hatfield and the North. Again it took them six years to release their sophomore effort Second Split. Their vocalist had left and was replaced by a wind section of saxophones, trumpet and flugelhorn. Especially the brass instruments are not that usual in progressive rock. The lack of vocals and an overall more serious sound puts the sextet this time in the neighbourhood of early seventies Soft Machine, Nucleus (because of the brass instruments) and National Health.
The nine-minute-long opener Clockwise surprises with a strong use of the wind section, giving it a certain big band orientation, although the very jazzy drumming and the progressive arrangement should make this appealing for fans of Soft Machine circa Third. The following Sundial Tick runs a little under five minutes and charms with an enchanting flute. The first half has a more pastoral flair before the final part gives more room to the other instruments, although this remains a more laidback piece, just like the two and a half minute short The Book Of Days, where a string quartet and a vibraphone pull us into a very different direction. In fact, there are eight guest musicians who furthermore add touches of keyboards and guitars.
The three songs on the second half are all a little over eight minutes long. Those Fading Hours comes with a moody rhythm that reminds me of Mahavishnu Orchestra. The violin only enforces this impression. I really like how this song is building up momentum, with the trumpet later on possibly inspired by King Crimson’s Islands era. The song ends with an acoustic guitar outro that is a little on the long side with one and a half minute. Backwards All The Time must have borrowed its title from Slightly All The Time off Soft Machine’s third album, and actually also sounds quite similar, but in a good way. About Life, Memories And Yesteryears uses its generous to begin quietly before ending in a rousing way with all the band involved.
The edition I had the pleasure to be listening to is the 2020 re-release which comes with a bonus track: News From Karelia, a five minute long track which is a more classical piece of vintage progressive rock full of mellotron.
If I had early access problems to Amoeba Split’s sound, I soon discovered the magic behind their complex compositions. The use of brass instruments may sound strange at first, but it helps to add more depth and originality to their sound. Second Split is a record that reveals new details every time you give it a listen." (Pascal Thiel, Disagreement)
credits
released July 6, 2020
Reissue of this album with a previously unreleased track
Ricardo Castro Varela - Hammond organ, mellotron, moog, piano.
Alberto Villarroya López - Bass, moog, electric piano, 12 string guitars.
Fernando Lamas - Drums and percussion.
Pablo Añón - Alto sax.
Eduardo "Dubi" Baamonde - Tenor sax and flute.
Rubén Salvador - Trumpet and flugelhorn.
Guest musicians:
Israel Arranz - Vibraphone (3).
Risto Vuolanne - Double bass (3).
Elena Fernández - Viola (3).
Sara García - Violin (3).
Lucía Quinteiro - Cello (3).
Arantxa Vera - Violin (4).
Iago Mouriño - Hammond organ (1), moog (4), piano and moog (5) and electric piano (6).
Felix Arias - 12 string guitar (6).
supported by 9 fans who also own “Second Split (Expanded Edition)”
No one does music quite like Camille and Xavier do. I see their music as being akin to soundtracks for unfilmed movies. In this instance it is a movie about explorers of mountainous terrain, perhaps the terrain of our lives. Merci pour cette musique si intrigante. :-) sumbuk
supported by 9 fans who also own “Second Split (Expanded Edition)”
Mysterious, yet nostalgic, Isolubilia is truly an ode to the romance found in the pursuit of a mystery. Musically rich in turbulence and serenity, majesty and humbleness, this album made me feel both lonely, yet understood as an isolated individual. Perhaps we're all fellow romantics, looking up at the same night sky, trying to wring our own meaning out of the stars. I hope that pursuit never ends. The John
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