Friday, March 26, 2010

BEPPE CROVELLA - WHAT'S RATTLIN' ON THE MOON?


Mike Ratledge was part of the most influential Canterbury-scene-band from 1966 until 1976.
With (The) Soft Machine, Mike Ratledge performed and recorded a typical mix of psychedelic music, progressive rock and jazz. And he was not just the keyboard player of the band. He signed for a lot of the compositions as well.

It was 2009 when MoonJune's Leonardo Pavkovic suggested to Italian progressive rock keyboard wizard Beppe Crovella to do something with the compositions of Mike Ratledge. Beppe Crovella didn't hesitate and pulled out his keyboard orchestra: Mellotron, Wurlitzer E200 electric piano, Fender Rhodes Stage 73 electric piano, Hammond Organ M102, Hohner electric piano, Hohner Clavinet D6, Rösler Grand piano, and the Farfisa Professional.

The result is entitled "What's Rattlin' On The Moon?", referring to Ratledge and to MoonJune. It includes three tracks that Beppe Crovella wrote and recorded right after he had decided to do the project. It also has ten Ratledge compositions that got the experimental, spacy jazz-rock Beppe Crovella treatment, plus three more tracks that Beppe did after he had done the ten Ratledge pieces.
Beppe Crovelle is a superb musician and his compositions fit the album nicely.

In all, this is a great tribute: fine artwork, excellent concept and brilliant music.

Recommended listening.

www.moonjune.com


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