10.000 ANOS DEPOIS ENTRE VÉNUS E MARTE

"10.000 Anos Depois Entre Vénus E Marte" is the only solo progressive rock album of José Cid, as a solo artist, and it was released in 1978. Beyond it, he made another progressive rock experience, "Vida (Sons Do Quotidiano)", an EP released one year before, in 1977. The line up on the album is José Cid, Mike Sergeant, Zé Nabo and Ramon Galarza.

If you're American or if you were born in other part of the world, the name José Cid might not mean much to you. But if you're from Portugal, you know him as one of the biggest names of the Portuguese pop music. But there was a short time, in the 70's, where he was exploring the progressive rock music, relying heavily on the mellotron and synthesizers. He co-founded Quarteto 1111, the real first band to take a new approach to the rock music in Portugal, with a modern line up and instrumentation. As a solo artist, his own solo LP, "10.000 Anos Depois Entre Vénus E Marte", was perhaps Cid at his finest moment during his progressive rock phase, a phase in his musical career. He didn't pursue it any further, since progressive rock by this time had pretty much reached a dead end just about in everywhere, and since there wasn't much competition in Portugal for this kind of music. Tantra was one of the other few progressive acts from Portugal, in those times. So, it's simple to wonder why this is considered, by many, the finest progressive rock act from Portugal. Regardless everything, Cid was basically the daddy of the Portuguese modern pop music and of the Portuguese progressive rock, since he was there from the start playing covers of the 50's American rock and roll music.

"10.000 Anos Depois Entre Vénus E Marte" is a conceptual album based in a very simple sci-fi story by Cid. The story is set about 10.000 years after the mankind's self-destruction in Planet Earth, where a man and a woman are travelling in space to returning to Earth to repopulate it. The lyrics are very simple and contemplate the past mistakes and future hopes of all mankind and the hope to correct it in the future. In addition to the auditory component, the artwork of the album is accompanied by beautiful illustrations that tell us the stories set in each track of the album.

Musically, this is very much a spacey album that reminds a little of Pink Floyd and Eloy, especially their album Ocean, except the fact that Cid had the sense to sing in his native tongue, the Portuguese. This whole album is a vintage keyboard lover's dream come true. The gatefold features Mr. Cid standing next to his assortment of keyboards, which includes a piano, two Mellotrons, a Hohner clavinet, a Mini Moog, and several keyboards that I couldn't recognize all.

About the tracks, the first two songs "O Último Dia Na Terra" and "O Caos" are nothing short than two incredible pieces. The mellotron choir sound has got to be heard to be believed. I just love the spacey sci-fi sound that sounds so to the 70's. And if you're a mellotron fan, like me, you can't argue with an album in which one of the songs bears the title of "Mellotron O Planeta Fantástico", another great number. I especially like the use of bass guitar and the Moog synthesizers. And of course, the mellotron is ever present all over the album. The title track is another nice ballad. "A Partir Do Zero" is another good one, I especially love the use of the synthesizers on that one. The album ends with "Memos" which is mainly the main piano theme found on one of the earlier songs on the album, "Fuga Para O Espaço".

Unfortunately, this masterpiece was very little known, in those times, even in Portugal. I think it only sold about 500 LP's, when it was released, which was really a pity. So, unfortunately, it just was born to the world many years later by the hand of an American music producer, I think. However I'm very happy and proud of knowing that it has been much acclaimed all over the world. Eventually, it has been included on a list of the 100 best albums of progressive rock music of all time, organized by U.S. Magazine Billboard, achieving the rare status of a cult album, which is really amazing.

Conclusion: Undoubtedly, we are in presence of a classic album from the 70's. It's very clear the strong influence in this working of some of the greatest names of the progressive rock bands of the 70's such as Genesis, King Crimson, Pink Floyd and Eloy. But unfortunately the album was a flop. Orfeu, the Portuguese record label, didn't have faith on the album, not to mention the gatefold with a full color booklet (with nice sci-fi artwork and lyrics) would be more expensive to make Cid agreed not to receive royalties. It quickly went out of print and became a major collector's item. I'm really convinced that Orfeu made a big mistake, as many people in Portugal think, too. This is a clear example how a record label can destroy, perhaps, a great musical career of an artist, in the progressive rock scene. I can't forget that of all the albums that Cid has recorded, through the years, this is particularly the album he's most proud, giving the impression that he'd rather have had a career in the progressive rock. But as he couldn't, he had to stick to the mainstream pop. Anyway, progressive rock was never a huge thing in Portugal. So, this is an excellent and perfect example of it. However, I just want to say one more thing: Thank you Mr. Cid for having contributed to our pride of being Portuguese.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

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