If ever you needed proof that Zeuhl and RIO were entering a new golden age especially in the USA then look no further. One of the original RIO bands Univers Zero appeared at Nearfest 2004. Here's the prefest info direct from the promoter's outbox.
Day One becomes Day Zero
Belgian symphonic RIO masters Univers Zero to make U.S. debut
We are extremely pleased to announce the confirmation of our Day One headliner for NEARfest 2004, the legendary Belgian symphonic Rock-in-Opposition group Univers Zero. Founded by drummer/keyboardist/master composer Daniel Denis in 1974, Univers Zero has garnered a significant worldwide cult fan base with their dark and challenging yet melodic, dynamic and emotionally stirring compositions. Cuneiform Records' reissues of such classics as "Ceux du Dehours" and "Uzed" have brought this phenomenal "chamber prog" ensemble's extensive output into wider notoriety. Univers Zero was re-born in the late 1990s and early 2000s with new albums exhibiting a fusion of progressive rock with emotional dark classical textures, presented with exquisite compositional skill. With a sound spectrum ranging from bleak Bartok-influenced acoustic chamber pieces to angular odd-meter symphonic rock-in-opposition, Univers Zero certainly holds a unique place in the pantheon of progressive music.
To commemorate the 30th anniversary of its formation, Univers Zero will be making its first ever appearance in the United States at NEARfest 2004 as a six piece band led by Daniel Denis on drums and UZ mainstay Michael Berkmans on bassoon, accompanied by violin, keyboards, clarinet, and bass. Next summer at NEARfest, progressive music fans can enjoy the exceedingly rare treat of a live Univers Zero performance. Be sure not to miss Univers Zero's riveting career-spanning 2-hour set concluding Day One of NEARfest 2004!
Rob LaDuca
President, NEARfest 2004
July 10/11, 2004
Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania USA
The Internet is a wonderful place to lurk, especially if you have a hobby. Not only does it supply information by the bucket load but it also povides a bond for all like minded souls. That is why you really should subscribe to the Avant-Progressive list and keep abreast of the latest news on all Prog Rock, RIO and Zeuhl artists. I'm sure that there are many other avenues on the web that provide a similar mix of information but if you are looking for a one-stop daily hit of news, reviews and opinions, delivered straight to your mailbox, then look no further. Using the Yahoo portal, moderator and Wayside Records owner Steve Fenigbaum has seen his baby mailing list grow into the busiest group that I am aware of on the subject and if you are an enthusiast (which I assume you must be, otherwise why are you reading this?) you should feel right at home amongst your peers and also the occasional legend. "Giorgio Gomelsky woz ere" is written on the archive wall, no less! It was Giorgio who once informed the list that the reason that the Seventh CD of Köhntarkösz was reissued in two parts instead of in its entirety was that it was recorded in two parts in the first place. So there!
Which brings me to my point. While there are official and unofficial Web Sites for nearly all Ork Alarm! featured artists (see the links page), Univers Zero have officially been conspicuous by their absence. Magma and Art Zoyd are now both well served in WWWLand but currently there are only a few dated efforts on Univers Zero and nothing that highlights the band's recent return to the the recording studio form. It is more important than ever before that any business has an authorised web presence so it is with deep joy that we will soon welcome an Official Univers Zero Web Site to the fold. Here's the web master Renato Moraes:
"The site will have news, a mailing list, a short biography and VERY long one with ALL the venues and shows UZ did, all line ups, discography, never issued interviews with UZ members, etc and other show dates besides NEARFest. Probably the website will be up and running in late December early January, I hope."
Recent (ish!!) Wayside music that may (or may not!) appeal to RIO fans:
Bratko Bibic & The Madleys-Na Domacem Vrtu (In The Family Garden) $14.00
In avant-progressive/R.I.O. circles, the Slovenian (formerly Yugoslavian) composer
and accordionist Bratko is well known for his membership in two very important
bands: Begnagrad and Nimal. Additionally, he is a member of the Accordion Tribe
with Lars Hollmer, Guy Klucevsek and others. This is his second album under
his own name, but unlike the first, it's a real group effort, rather than a
mostly solo album. More importantly, The Madleys have basically transformed
themselves into Begnagrad, as four of the five members of that band are in The
Madleys now (Bratko, Bogo Pecnikar-clarinet/baritone sax, Nino de Gleria-bass
and Ales Rendla-drums, with only the guitarist missing, and replaced by Matjaz
Sekne-violin, viola, piano). The market for folk-influenced R.I.O. is quite
small these days, so this is being pitched to the world music crowd, where it
fits very nicely, but there are also plenty of parts that will remind you of
Begnagrad. Limited availability (have you tried to export goods out of Slovenia
recently?).
Gatto Marte-Leolombrico $12.00
Gatto Marte are a Italian "progressive chamber quartet", who use violin, basson,
piano & double bass. Drums and percussion are also featured on a good portion
of the album as 'guests'. This is the band's fourth album, with all tracks recorded
live in the studio, and might very well be their best yet! Tuneful-yet-twisting,
and not afraid to throw in a pinch of craziness with their stateliness! Their
records are definitely comparable to folks like Julverne, ZNR, Jean-Philippe
Goude's chamber works, etc., so if you are a fan of that style, you will want
this. Recommended!
Kayo Dot-Choirs of the Eye $13.00
Kayo Dot used to be known as Maudlin of the Well, who were a avant-garde/classical
leaning metal outfit. Wanting to move
beyond that, they changed their name and direction and became Kayo Dot. This
lists 10 musicians on guitars, cello, flute/clarinet/alto sax/Hammond organ/Fender
Rhodes, French horn, trombone, violin/viola, trumpet, bass and drums. A lot
of
this is generally quiet and gothic with explosive riffing to shock your system.
This was a very strange listen, but really well done
and something that I need to hear more than just the once as I write this...
"...their newest recording, over a year in the making,
takes them into an adventurous new world where heavy rock and classical music
meet ritual. Magical and compelling music from
a young band breaking new ground in the rock world." [Tzadik]
If
you haven't already picked up the Franck Balestracci - "Existences Invisibles"
on Carbon 7 Records then shame on you! It's "brilliant"! (see Ork
Alarm 26) However it isn't exactly RIO or rather more to the point, it isn't
like Univers Zero RIO (by the way, If someone could let me know what "RIO"
is then that would be nice :-))
Much more in keeping with the "Classical Chamber Rock" style that UZ embrace and also "Brilliant" (don't you just love these indepth reviews!?) is Louise Avenue's "Let's take one more...". Featuring two familiar names from the Belgian scene Dirk DESCHEEMAEKER and Jean-Luc PLOUVIER, Louise Avenue brew up a complicated concoction of time signatures that will be very hard for UZ fans to turn down. New layers are revealed with each audition and after a few plays enough familiarity sets in to be able to "follow" the music. As with much of what we choose to listen to, the enjoyment you'll get out of this CD will be in proportion to the time spent listening to it!?
Another very interesting item from Carbon 7 Records is the third offering from Pierre VERVLOESEM entitled "Grosso Modo" which, regardless of accurately assessing which genre it slots into is a real must for Bass Guitar fans.
I've
had a while now to get to grips with the latest Patricia Dallio CD "L'encre
Des Voix Secrètes" and before I tell you that it is also "Brilliant"
you must understand that, for me, the sun always shines brightly from Patricia's
piano stool. This music should appeal to fans of Art Zoyd who have followed
and appreciated their recent works. Patricia Dallio has linked her talents to
the Sound Track ensemble. A conglomerate of artists offering their trade as
a possible compliment to visual works of art. (see Ork alarm 26). Possibly as
a consequence of this involvement or perhaps due to coincidence, this CD, like
many of Patricia's and Art Zoyd's, lends itself neatly to the world of "Film
Sound Track" music. This music will not be to everyone's taste. Many Magma
/ Zeuhl fans would be forgiven for questioning whether this style is "musically
valid" at all. On first analysis this outing seems much closer to the Avant-Garde
world than Patricia's first CD "Procession". However after further
inspection "L'encre Des Voix Secrètes" shows it's full colours.
The minimal use of rhythm and melody is evident and leaves the listener desperate
for more musical "crumbs" but you are given seem to take on extra
significance.
I've always hoped that tracks from the "Procession" CD will one day make a great sound track for the film of my all time favourite Sci-Fi book "The Many Colored land" by Julian May. Likewise I'm sure "L'encre Des Voix Secrètes" would make an ideal backdrop to many a future horror film. Many of the tracks conjure up sinister dark images, one in particular is marvellously disturbing! I'm not sure I'd recommend this CD as an introduction to Patricia Dallio but as long as the listener had an AZ open mind then perhaps it wouldn't really matter. Dallio can certainly be descibed as an "acquired taste". But then I suppose you could say the same about any of the musicians featured in Ork Alarm! Recommended, but as usual with this style of music, only repeated plays will offer up a reward.
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