Argentinian ambient/modern classical composer Bruno Sanfilippo (based in Barcelona) has teamed up with German drone master Mathias Grassow for their already second collaboration entitled "CROMO [Piano & Drones]". I really respect both these artists and I am always pleased by collaborations like this, they can be only fruitful and "CROMO" is no exception. So what they are bringing to the table? As usual for Mathias, he is coming with his typical and trademarking subtle walls of drones, smoothly and gracefully floating on the background while Bruno is adding some fragile and intimate piano sounds to the front. This blend works together more than efficiently, it's very compact, personal and relaxing. It's evident in the first of six untitled pieces, with Bruno's absolutely beautiful piano melodies, while Mathias is backing up with distant and continous drones. What a journey! The next composition brings both artists on the same level, drones are more monumental and expansive and piano is less transparent, very enjoyable too. In the next composition Bruno adds more gradual tension and movement in his piano, certainly one of the best pieces on the album. Also the next composition is quite dramatical and monumentally drifting with more leveled parts of both musicians. Finger mastery of Bruno again steps into the fore on the next one, this is probably the most emotional composition on "CROMO" and another highlight with skillfully balanced piano and drones. The closing, over 19 minutes long, piece is comprised of slowly evolving passages and immense sonic walls with deeply immersed piano. Very dark, but absolutely beautiful travel. "CROMO", with delicately crafted acoustics and electronics, is another highly recommended work of both these masters!!!

Richard Gürtler (Bratislava, Slovakia)
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STYLE   
Delicate Old Lady Grand Piano impressions and subtle, air-filled drones. Mathias Grassow lays down a series of gossamer drone textures reminiscent of distant fogs - hazy, grey beds of transparent tone with shifting densities that seep into the consciousness softening the atmosphere, drenching the soundscape. These electronic formations at times recede and hang in the background allowing Bruno Sanfilippo's piano work to dominate, but in other places they well up and fill the senses becoming dense, intense, engrossing. The piano parts are achingly beautiful and melodic on some tracks - sparse, unhurried developments that seem to pour straight from the heart of the player. There are also darker passages of finger runs looming from the relative stillness of the synths. Sometimes the ivories sink deep within the mists, reverberating gently, becoming a part of the air or are so heavily effected as to merge with the backdrop.  
  
ARTWORK   
CROMO is a jewel case presentation with a fold-out insert. Cover art is all comprised of soft shades of grey with abstract light patterns arcing and streaking the surface. The front cover holds a central image between broad bands of grey and simple titles. On the back the tracks are listed against respective times. The sleeve insert opens out to reveal a page of credits and a gear list for both Grassow and Sanfilippo. Here too are web site details and contact information. The innermost double page spread is given over to a glassy abstraction in grey with the legend CROMO = Cr as the only text. 
  
OVERALL    
CROMO [piano & drones] is the latest collaboration from Bruno Sanfilippo and Mathias Grassow released via Bruno's own Ad21music label. The album follows up the highly respected Ambessence: Piano and Drones album of 2008 (also reviewed at Morpheus Music). This current work delivers six mesmerising compositions ranging in length from just over seven minutes to the powerful nineteen minute nineteen second conclusion - sixty two minutes in total. The melancholy grace of the first release is once again present but this time there is a darker tone tugging at the music a dramatic sense of anticipation. The music can be sampled both at the Ad21 website and at Bruno Sanfilippo's own site.
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