(Symphonic Prog) Taproban - Outside Nowhere - 2004, FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

"Outside Nowhere", the second CD from Italian trio Taproban, is an enthusiastically executed set of songs on a general theme of space exploration with some of the tracks paying homage to specific Science Fiction films (2001, Bladerunner and Star Trek). This is not a staggeringly original idea, nor does the music present anything particularly groundbreaking or revolutionary, but the core trio of Gianlucca De Rossi (keyboards and vocals), Guglielmo Mariotti (bass, vocals and acoustic guitar) and Davide Guidoni (drums and percussion) are all fine musicians, as is guest Alessandro Papotto (from the superb Periferia del Mondo) on saxophone. Also, they look for inspiration in all the right places, with ELP, Yes, Rick Wakeman, Vangelis and Rush being the main, but by no means the only, influences. The pieces are largely instrumental, but the vocals, when they do occur, are pleasant enough, particularly on "Broken Shell" (an acoustic ballad) and "Pieces Left Behind" with the merest trace of an accent failing to dampen proceedings. I still prefer it where, as on "Nexus", the vocals are presented in their native Italian. From the opening Wakeman-esque synth fanfare of "At The Fifteenth Orbit", through the dynamic Chris Squire-like bass which powers the album’s centrepiece 19 minute suite "Outside Nowhere" and that same track’s bolero-like opening, melodic dancing sax solo, Peart-like percussion and lush layers of keyboards, to the spooky desolation conjured by the short but effective "The Deep", this album is an enjoyable ride through an ever-changing landscape of prog rock staples and tried and tested styles. That said, they never stoop to blatant plagiarism and manage to pull all their influences into a cohesive whole. Of course, like ELP and Rick Wakeman, this is keyboard-dominated music, and is most likely to appeal to fans of these and similar artists. Di Rossi is a very capable player, with a wide range of styles at his command, from gentle piano to majestic organ, enabling him to conjure up appropriate atmospheres for this evocative music. The rhythm section are also considerable better than in many similar groups, where the backing is purely workmanlike. "Il difficile equilibrio" has a more modern, spiralling synth sound, edging towards Ozric Tentacles in places but retaining a neo IQ inspired feel, mixed with some frantic ELP organ runs. The unpronounceable fifth track is apparently a Klingon translation of "War Dance" and this is an apt title for this lively Star Trek motivated piece, laced through with vibrant percussion, making for an easily likeable track. The album closes with the Bladerunner inspired "Nexus" featuring lovely, mournful saxophone, treated vocals and it ends with a sweet, melancholic piano mixed with samples of the last words of Russian cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov who died aboard the Sojuz 1. This is a reflective way to end an album whose moods are many and varied. While this is unlikely to top anyone’s 'best of year' lists, it is a pleasing work with much to offer the old school prog fan. It manages to steer clear of the bombastic overkill employed by Japanese proponents of similar music (Ars Nova, Gerard) and also avoids the overt metal influences that are currently in vogue with many Neo-Prog groups (Star One, Aryeon). All in all, this is an agreeable album for all fans of keyboard prog.

Taproban - Outside Nowhere (2004) [FLAC]\
01 - At The Fifteenth Orbit.flac
02 - Outside Nowhere.flac
03 - Broken Shell.flac
04 - Il difficile equilibrio tra sorgenti d'energia.flac
05 - ves ml'taHghach.flac
06 - Pieces Left Behind.flac
07 - In The Deep.flac
08 - Nexus.flac
Artwork
info.txt
Outside Nowhere.CUE
Outside Nowhere.log
small.jpg
Taproban - Outside Nowhere.m3u
tau.txt
Artwork\BackInside.jpg
Artwork\BackOutside.jpg
Artwork\Booklet1.jpg
Artwork\Booklet2.jpg
Artwork\Booklet3.jpg
Artwork\Booklet4.jpg
Artwork\Booklet5.jpg
Artwork\Cover.jpg

EAC extraction logfile from 12. January 2006, 9:05 for CD
Taproban / Outside Nowhere

Used drive : PIONEER DVD-ROM DVD-114F Adapter: 0 ID: 1
Read mode : Secure with NO C2, accurate stream, disable cache
Read offset correction : 696
Overread into Lead-In and Lead-Out : No

Used output format : Internal WAV Routines
44.100 Hz; 16 Bit; Stereo

Other options :
Fill up missing offset samples with silence : Yes
Delete leading and trailing silent blocks : No
Installed external ASPI interface

Track 1
Filename C:\Documenti\Fabio\Musica\Taproban - Outside Nowhere (2004) [FLAC]\01 - At The Fifteenth Orbit.wav

Pre-gap length 0:00:02.00

Peak level 99.5 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Test CRC 6862C6D8
Copy CRC 6862C6D8
Copy OK

Track 2
Filename C:\Documenti\Fabio\Musica\Taproban - Outside Nowhere (2004) [FLAC]\02 - Outside Nowhere.wav

Peak level 99.5 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Test CRC 22BC6E43
Copy CRC 22BC6E43
Copy OK

Track 3
Filename C:\Documenti\Fabio\Musica\Taproban - Outside Nowhere (2004) [FLAC]\03 - Broken Shell.wav

Pre-gap length 0:00:00.24

Peak level 99.5 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Test CRC 7838A692
Copy CRC 7838A692
Copy OK

Track 4
Filename C:\Documenti\Fabio\Musica\Taproban - Outside Nowhere (2004) [FLAC]\04 - Il difficile equilibrio tra sorgenti d'energia.wav

Pre-gap length 0:00:01.04

Peak level 99.5 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Test CRC 6C66C070
Copy CRC 6C66C070
Copy OK

Track 5
Filename C:\Documenti\Fabio\Musica\Taproban - Outside Nowhere (2004) [FLAC]\05 - ves ml'taHghach.wav

Pre-gap length 0:00:02.12

Peak level 99.5 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Test CRC B48D3D5D
Copy CRC B48D3D5D
Copy OK

Track 6
Filename C:\Documenti\Fabio\Musica\Taproban - Outside Nowhere (2004) [FLAC]\06 - Pieces Left Behind.wav

Pre-gap length 0:00:01.54

Peak level 99.5 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Test CRC 4EFF5697
Copy CRC 4EFF5697
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Track 7
Filename C:\Documenti\Fabio\Musica\Taproban - Outside Nowhere (2004) [FLAC]\07 - In The Deep.wav

Pre-gap length 0:00:00.07

Peak level 99.5 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Test CRC 5424C770
Copy CRC 5424C770
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Track 8
Filename C:\Documenti\Fabio\Musica\Taproban - Outside Nowhere (2004) [FLAC]\08 - Nexus.wav

Pre-gap length 0:00:00.08

Peak level 99.5 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Test CRC D2FC5165
Copy CRC D2FC5165
Copy OK

No errors occured

End of status report

960145571 13258268 01 - At The Fifteenth Orbit.wav
3318844075 201451196 02 - Outside Nowhere.wav
747826554 17249612 03 - Broken Shell.wav
286288321 81271052 04 - Il difficile equilibrio tra sorgenti d'energia.wav
3098265594 52880060 05 - ves ml'taHghach.wav
1550893795 54265388 06 - Pieces Left Behind.wav
2987347482 26483564 07 - In The Deep.wav
380845915 46080428 08 - Nexus.wav

auCDtect: CD records authenticity detector, version 0.8.2
Copyright (c) 2004 Oleg Berngardt. All rights reserved.
Copyright (c) 2004 Alexander Djourik. All rights reserved.
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Processing file: [01 - At The Fifteenth Orbit.wav]

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This track looks like CDDA with probability 100%

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Processing file: [02 - Outside Nowhere.wav]

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This track looks like CDDA with probability 99%

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Processing file: [03 - Broken Shell.wav]

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This track looks like CDDA with probability 100%

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Processing file: [04 - Il difficile equilibrio tra sorgenti d'energia.wav]

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This track looks like CDDA with probability 100%

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Processing file: [05 - ves ml'taHghach.wav]

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This track looks like CDDA with probability 100%

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Processing file: [06 - Pieces Left Behind.wav]

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This track looks like CDDA with probability 100%

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Processing file: [07 - In The Deep.wav]

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This track looks like CDDA with probability 100%

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Processing file: [08 - Nexus.wav]

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This track looks like CDDA with probability 100%

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Final Conclusion:
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These tracks looks like CDDA with probability 100%