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D.F.A.
Progressive / Fusion / Jam Band

Progressive jazz-rock fusion from Verona, Italy



Verona
Italy

Profile Views:  27587




Last Login:  6/28/2009
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   D.F.A.: General Info
Member Since5/21/2007
Band Websitewww.moonjune.com
Band Members
AVAILABLE NOW ON MOONJUNE RECORDS
THE LONG AWAITED NEW STUDIO ALBUM
DFA "4TH"
$14 USA/CAN • $17 ELSEWHERE (including shipping)

TO PURCHASE THE CD AND FOR AUDIO CLIPS AND MORE INFO
PLEASE CLICK ON THE CD COVER.




It's been just one year short of a decade since D.F.A.'s second studio album, 1999's critically acclaimed Duty Free Area. Although two additional releases have seen the light of day in the interim - Work In Progress Live, documenting their performance at NEARfest 2000, and Kaleidoscope, an anthology of their first two albums with bonus live material - none contained any new music.

So what happened ? Well, membership of a leading progressive rock band is hardly a full-time job these days, and our lads were simply getting on with their "real" lives - families, jobs and the like... So music took a back seat for a while, gigs became less frequent (which they never really were anyway), and it took much longer than planned for them to get to the point where making a new studio album seemed a realistic prospect.

Listening to the results now, the impressive amount of musical substance on offer speaks for itself, and more than makes up for the seemingly endless wait. Most of the album is D.F.A. as we know and love them, with their sonic and stylistic trademarks fully intact - the warm analog sounds, the impressive interplay, with guitar (Silvio Minella) and keyboards (Alberto Bonomi) trading or sharing leads over an ever-shifting rhythmic foundation (Luca Baldassari and Alberto De Grandis), and the unmistakably "Mediterranean" extroversion and exuberance. Anyone who liked the band's first two albums will welcome 4th as a worthy successor. In several ways it is even superior - there is more subtlety, restraint and nuance in the instrumental performance, which allows the epic, largely instrumental compositions to unfold naturally and organically, as if created on the spur of the moment.

This is saying a lot about D.F.A.'s almost telepathic interplay, as very little of their music is actually improvised. Although it may display strong similarities to 1970s jazz-fusion at times, it ultimately owes more to the (often maligned) tradition of progressive rock, with its heavily structured compositions characterised by a constant turnover of thematic content. It should be noted that D.F.A.'s main composer is drummer De Grandis - ably assisted by Bonomi -, and he is no exception to the rule that drummers usually have an excellent orchestral feel. The way the opening track, "Baltasaurus", slowly but surely builds up to jamming frenzy from its rather minimalist starting point, is a textbook example of how to structure a group performance. Another example of the band's maturity is "Vietato Generalizzare", which balances passages as intricate as the infamous "Trip On Metro" (from DFA's debut Lavori In Corso) with welcome contrasting, quieter sections.

In true "progressive" tradition, there are also moments on the album that depart more radically from the established D.F.A. "formula". The piano- and strings-based intro and outro bookending "Mosoq Runa" mark an unprecedented foray into pure classical music. More importantly, "La Ballata de 's'Isposa e Mannorri", a collaboration with the Sardinian vocal trio Andhira, in an oustanding achievement. If anything, it shows that the human voice can be integrated satisfactorily into the D.F.A.'s music - which has long been a moot point despite the best efforts of Alberto De Grandis and assorted guest vocalists - and suggests exciting new developments for the future.

In any case, D.F.A.'s new album is an unmitigated success which not only re-establishes the Italian quartet as a musical force to be reckoned with, but is also certain to be acclaimed as one of the best progressive rock releases of 2008, quite possibly the best - but the competition remains open, of course.

Aymeric Leroy, Paris May 2008


InfluencesFor fans of: Gentle Giant, Hatfield & The North, National Health, Gong, Bruford, UK, Allan Holdsworth, Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays, Return To Forever, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Brand X, PFM, Banco, Nova, Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, Focus, mid '70s Soft Machine, Frank Zappa, Goblin, Umphrey's McGee, and many others.
Sounds LikeD.F.A.
Record LabelMoonJune Records
Type of LabelIndie


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   Upcoming Shows ( view all )
May 15 2009 10:00P
Stazione Birra "Progressivamente Festival" ROMA Roma
Jun 12 2009 9:00P
Live at Fasano Jazz Festival Brindisi, Brindisi
Jun 20 2009 6:00P
NEARfest (North East Art Rock Festival) Bethlehem, PA
Sep 13 2009 8:00P
Live at F.M.P.M. Montréal (Canada) Montréal, Quebec

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   About D.F.A.

AVAILABLE ON MOONJUNE RECORDS

DFA "Kaleidoscope" (2cd-double album!)
TWO CULT STUDIO ALBUMS
"LAVORI IN CORSO" (1997) and "DUTY FREE AREA" (1999)
REMASTERED, PLUS 3 LIVE BONUS TRACKS.
$18 USA/CAN • $21 ELSEWHERE (including shipping)

TO PURCHASE THE CD AND FOR AUDIO CLIPS AND MORE INFO
PLEASE CLICK ON THE CD COVER.




One of the pitfalls of the progressive-rock genre is often denigrated by the facilitation of intricate complexities within viable song-forms. History dictates that prog-icons such as King Crimson, Yes, early Genesis, ELP, Jethro Tull, PFM and Gentle Giant helped set the paradigm for a movement that floundered during the ‘80s, especially after Britain’s fertile Canterbury Scene took its final course. Many prog-rockers and jazz-fusion artists have sacrificed compositional attributes for gyrating technical gymnastics, where melody and structure becomes tainted or perhaps diluted. Fast forward to the 1995 where the Verona, Italy based band “D.F.A. (Duty Free Area),” issues a demo of works accentuating a novel approach to the tried and true. With enviable technical abilities, the band merely touches upon previously applied paradigms set forth by Gentle Giant, King Crimson, National Health and other bands of note. Simply put, they helped refine and replenish the roads frequently traveled while enjoying a cult-like status along the way.
Keen ears and those in the know, assisted with the band’s natural progression, spawning DFA’s critically-acclaimed 1996 debut, Lavori In Corso, followed in 1999 by the equally exciting Duty Free Area. And while the respective band-members do not rely on recurring income to function as a unit (they have day-jobs), the music and group-initiated methodology is an artistic one at that. With less than three dozen live dates under their belt, the musicians are not pressurized into corporate record company antics and demands. D.F.A.’s guitars/keys and synth extrapolations are tightly organized within a richly harmonic mode of attack. Sure, knotty time signatures and airy, over-the-top vocals reside as a prime component. No strikingly new concepts are put across. However, it’s all about focus, camaraderie and the lack of (negative) external influences or dictums. Again, they don’t do this for economic survival. Their plight is steeped within excellence in execution and love for an art-form that has been either elevated to lofty heights or submerged to lowly depths.
Throughout this double cd set, check out keyboardist (and occasional vocalist) Alberto Bonomi’s fluid phrasings that engender multihued tonalities. He also looms as an accelerator when supporting or collaborating with guitarist Silvio Minela’s largely-soaring, jazz-fusion style lines. They combine linear themes, blazing crescendos and sweetly melodic opuses into a sound and scope that morphs red-zone activity with a sense of endearment. Meanwhile bassist Luca Baldassari and drummer/lead vocalist Alberto De Grandis kick matters into overdrive while tempering the variable flows to coincide with the soloists’ vast expressionism and artful improvisational dialogues. More importantly, the group’s compositional fortitude bears an uncanny commingling of Mahavishnu Orchestra type intensity with the softly woven sensibilities of melodic rock.
In 2001 MoonJune Records released Work In Progress Live, signifying a musical statement, recorded June 17th 2000 at the beloved USA NearFest progressive-rock gala. Naturally, the recording of this performance sparked additional interest from the international prog community. Glowing enthusiastic reviews judiciously followed the album’s release. Now, MoonJune has provided a gift of sorts with the remastering (also including bonus tracks) of the unit’s first two studio efforts. Supply, demand and availability necessitate the reasoning behind this release. And while D.F.A.’s musical aura does not communicate a trendsetting revelation, it parallels science – where cerebral disciplines generally attain a fruitful coexistence with creativity and a sense of purpose. Enjoy these wonderful sounds…
– GLENN ASTARITA; Nashville, Tennessee; March 2007
(rock and jazz journalist; contributor to DownBeat Magazine,
AllAboutJazz.com, EJazzNews.com, JazzReview.com and RadioDirectX)


Band’s website: http://digilander.libero.it/dfa
www.myspace.com/dutyfreearea


Worldwide bookings by MoonJune Global Media www.moonjune.com www.myspace.com/moonjunerecords

ALSO !!!
DFA "Work In Progress Live"
$14 USA/CAN • $17 ELSEWHERE (including shipping)

TO PURCHASE THE CD AND FOR AUDIO CLIPS AND MORE INFO
PLEASE CLICK ON THE CD COVER.

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   D.F.A.'s Friend Space (Top 40)
D.F.A. has 1195 friends.
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 Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin 





D.F.A.'s Friends Comments
Displaying 25 of 344 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
SOUND THERAPY Recording Studio





Jul 2 2009 12:35 PM

ciao!

on-line nuova preview di produzione SOUND THERAPY!

band: Fables  
song: "Open"
(la traccia che parte in automatico)

Passa per ascoltare il nostro lavoro, così magari hai anche la possibilità di conoscere una nuova band!

E ricordo che al SOUND THERAPY Recording Studio i prezzi sono… ridicoli (a volte mi faccio schifo da solo...)

Ciao!

Michele

Once Upon A Fractured Frkn Fairytale...





Jun 30 2009 1:38 AM

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Thank You For The Add!
Loved Your Show At NearFest!
Have An Awesome Week!
Dawn
Moonlight 94





Jun 29 2009 6:52 AM

Thank you for the friendship/

My teacher of the guitar was a great fan of D.F.A. music.
His Name is Hiroyuki Kitada ~Jazz-Rock Band "Group Therapy" Reader~" .
I enjoy the music that I love hard at the same time to inherit the will of the deceased of the teacher.

Please come listen to "Moonlight 94" music.

Moonlight 94
from Osaka,Japan
Rorschach Painters





Jun 28 2009 10:11 PM

Thanks for the add AND the great performance at NF '09!
New fans here!! Digging 4th!
Rorschach Painters



Going for the One - A Yes Tribute





Jun 28 2009 9:37 PM





Camembert





Jun 28 2009 9:13 PM

WARNING !
EP 6 tracks is coming !
It will be available in 2 weeks...

Homeboy





Jun 22 2009 8:39 PM

Awesome set at NEARfest on Saturday. Come back soon!
ARZ





Jun 14 2009 9:19 PM

Hello! Thank you for adding us.  We'd like to invite you to listen and let us know what you think of our music.  We'd love to hear your feedback.

GoldARZ
ProgFrogg ™





Jun 14 2009 1:57 PM

Hi!  We've just posted our first two official ProgFrogg reviews featuring the bands Moth Vellum and Tetrafusion.  You can check them out either here on MySpace or on our ProgFrogg Blog at http://progfrogg.blogspot.com.  Make sure to subscribe here or bookmark our blogspot as we will be posting reviews and interviews often!!! You can also see a show diary by our good friend Keithie Waye!

Don't forget to check out our store at http://www.artsnow.com/ProgFrogg!  All money made goes right back into helping us promote the music we all love!  Support the 2010 Likkit ProgFest!!
BRANDON GABRIEL





Jun 7 2009 8:37 AM

Hey. Thanks again for the support. I'm truly greatful. Be sure to comment on my work once you have the time!
PEACE!
ProgFrogg ™





Jun 7 2009 1:29 AM

Thanks so much for being our friend.  We're happy to help in any way we can so if you have something you want us to review, if you'd be interested in doing an interview or if you have dates you want to post on our calendar or photos to share just let us know!!  Take care and prog on :)


Bullfrog - new album out now!





Jun 2 2009 8:25 PM

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Bullfrog - new album out now!





May 25 2009 3:05 PM

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JACK DUPON





May 20 2009 6:04 PM

issue du célèbre

Chipitos studio

et en attendant le prochain clip,

Jack Dupon

vous offre une petite sucrerie...

Born in the famous

Chipitos Studio

and waiting for the next Clip,

Jack Dupon

offers you a little sweet...

Chipitos Studios
Ed Unitsky ™





May 19 2009 9:09 AM







hello friends..,
Greetings from my Prog-Art-Sky!
...thank you for possibility to get acquainted,
and have a possibility to enjoy your beautiful music and talent...
Thank you also for your interest to my artworks...
You also always welcome to my pages!
Have a great Cosmic Energy!
All the best,
Ed Uni†Sky


Mulberry Mountain Harvest Music Festival





May 11 2009 8:03 PM

Summer is near and so is the Harvest! Get ready for a jammin' good time as the music echoes across these beautiful Ozark Mountains! Tickets are on sale now!

Peace, Love, & Music!
www.mulberrymountainmusic.com

Donato Zoppo





May 3 2009 12:07 PM

Non perdere
FASANO JAZZ 2009
http://www.fasanojazz.it

GONG & STEVE HILLAGE
MIROSLAV VITOUS & FRANCO AMBROSETTI - Remembering Weather Report
FORTHYTO
BORIS SAVOLDELLI & DFA

Alfonso Tregua





May 1 2009 6:05 PM

FREE DOWNLOAD

EmporioMalkovich





Apr 22 2009 5:37 PM

bragginm





Apr 16 2009 11:27 PM

hey I appreciate your music! thank you and keep it up!
Digital Revolution Records





Apr 16 2009 10:34 PM

OPEN%20HEAD%20TRIPQuantcast


D.R.R. are looking for
BANDS
AND
ARTISTS
also
FINNISHED PROJECTS
for
IMMIDIATE RELEASE,
orvietocentromusica





Apr 13 2009 5:46 PM


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Aperte le iscrizioni alla III edizione di
Musikè Tekhnè

Un festival didattico rivolto a ragazzi, adulti e gruppi musicali
provenienti da tutto il territorio nazionale che si terrà ad Orvieto
dal 22 al 24 maggio.


- Lezioni di strumento
- Lezioni di musica d’insieme
- Gruppi di lavoro
- Seminari

Corsi tenuti da

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Le lezioni si svolgeranno negli spazi del CentroMusica.


Domenica 24 maggio si terrà il concerto finale
al Teatro Mancinelli di Orvieto

Costo delle tre giornate di studio 200 €

Da due giorni prima dell’apertura del festival,
tutti i giovani, insegnanti, gruppi musicali,
possono assistere a concerti,
ma anche esibirsi in prima persona.


L’idea è quella di creare un palcoscenico per i giovani,
così come un utile momento di aggregazione e di confronto.


Gli scenari sono i locali e le piazze della città.


Per informazioni:
http://www.orvietocentromusica.it
info@orvietocentromusica.it
tel.
0763-393127
cell.
368-3511583

Anna Rita Catarcia


Synpress 44 - Ufficio Stampa





Apr 11 2009 11:52 AM

Non perdere
FASANO JAZZ 2009
http://www.fasanojazz.it

GONG & STEVE HILLAGE
MIROSLAV VITOUS & FRANCO AMBROSETTI - Remembering Weather Report
FORTHYTO
BORIS SAVOLDELLI & DFA

BEYOND PERCEPTION





Apr 6 2009 10:48 PM

thanks for the add guys.. cheers for beers..!!
Elena Nulchis





Apr 6 2009 9:36 PM


ATTENZIONE!!! IMPORTANTE!!!! GRAZIE!!

TERREMOTO IN ABRUZZO, PER AIUTI DI QUALSIASI GENERE:

http://www.meetup.com/Gli-amici-di-Beppe-Grillo-di-Napoli/it/pages/OPERAZIONE_DI_SOLIDARIETA%27_CON_L%27ABRUZZO
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