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DFA - Work in Progress Live
Topic Started: Mar 26 2007, 07:17 AM (553 Views)
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DFA - Work in Progress Live

DFA (Duty Free Area) was formed in 1991 but took until 1997 to release their first CD 'Lavori in Corso' (recommended by 'Keyboard' magazine) This was followed in 1999 by the highly acclaimed 'Duty Free Area' (released on Mellow Records). Even so it was obviously a pleasant surprise for prog fans at NEARfest 2000 to hear this 4 piece band from Verona, Italy.

"I don't know what to say. I'm surprised" one of the band members remarks after the response to the jazz inflected 'Pantera' near the end of DFA's set. Obviously overwhelmed by the audience reaction DFA shouldn't be as they play breathtaking progressive rock fusion of the highest calibre.

Complex yet highly melodic might describe DFA with shifting themes and moods and every musician giving 100% commitment and ability as they carry you along on a musical tide that cannot go on long enough. So the hour long set passes very quickly indeed!

The band has an original and inventive approach to music only occasionally touching base with progressive giants of the past

Perhaps Gentle Giant on 'Ragno' and 'Trip on Metro' (the time signatures!), National Health on 'Caleidoscopio' and 'Ragno' and of mid period King Crimson in the rhythmic structures of 'Escher'.

By the way the material is written by drummer Alberto De Grandis and keyboard player Alberto Bonomi who also handle the occasional vocals (on the atmospheric 'Caleidoscopio' with its haunting synth lines and guitar and the beautiful 'La Via')

The line-up is completed by a wonderfully fluent and expressive guitarist, Silvio Minella (who brings to mind Allan Holdsworth) and a brilliant bass player, Luca Baldassari. Indeed 'brilliant' is an appropriate description of all the DFA musicians. Versatile also as they cope admirably with a range of emotions and styles.
Even the DFA web site is great with musical scores of their numbers!

Congratulations to Leonardo Pavkovic and Moon June Records for an excellent, well packaged release. DFA's 'Work in Progress' is as fine an example of prog fusion as I've heard played by 4 wonderfully talented musicians and is without doubt one of 2001's best releases. My highest recommendation

Contact: http://www.moonjune.com
DFA web site: http://digilander.iol.it/dfa/
(MUR 003) Review by Phil Jackson, musician and reviewer
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