Ske: 1000 Autunni

1000 Autunni is the first solo album from Yugen and French TV keyboard player Paolo "Ske" Botta and put quite simply, what a triumph it is. Utilising a vast array of instruments and musicians, this collection of avant-garde, progressive rock and jazz is immensely captivating and uplifting, whilst still managing to challenge, confuse and most importantly entertain on a grand scale. Very little, if any of the music presented is straight forward in execution, with meanders, tangents and off shoots being employed and followed throughout, although this is all achieved without sounding like it has all been done for the sake of it.

These are impressively tight compositions that all feel like mini journeys to foreign lands, as theme after theme and mood after mood float by in an amazingly engrossing manner. Violins and xylophones jostle with guitars and drums to build often intimidating walls of sounds that are slowly taken apart before being reconstructed in a more terrifying style than before. Whilst there are no lyrics on the album, there are many voices which add to the music in a way which builds atmosphere without needing to tell a story, although the songs have a stronger message and a grander, cinematic approach because of it. With the exception of the three "Scogli's", all the songs are of the mid to long variety, however the otherworldyness of the music and the seamless transition from song to song makes it more like a continuous voyage of discovery that goes on to unravel, revealing more secrets with every listen. Also worth a mention is the stunning booklet that accompanies this CD, with beautiful images and bilingual song notes, which adds greatly to this package.

Not for the feint hearted, 1000 Autunni is a hugely satisfying and rewarding listening experience which makes an immediate impression, whilst still growing in stature the more familiar you become with it. Impressive stuff indeed.

Track Listing
1. Fraguglie
2. Denti
3. Carta E Burro
4. Scrupoli
5. Delta
6. Scogli 1
7. Sotto Sotto
8. Mummia
9. Scoglia 2
10. La Nefazia Di Multatuli
11. Scogli 3
12. Rassegnati

Added: August 6th 2011
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Ske MySpace
Hits: 5508
Language: english

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