MEMORIAS DO TEMPO

Gerson Werelang is the guitarplayer of the Brasilian progrock band Pocos E Nuvens, this is his first solo album, from 2008 (in 2015 he released a second solo album entitled Sistema Solar). The sound is varied but most remarkable is the important role for the warm, frequently intense native vocals, male, female and duo. Like in the shorte songs Colheita De Inverno (wonderful violin), Vozes Outonais (in combination with piano), Ao Pouco Que Resta (beautifully blended with sitar and classical guitar), Do Ex'lio Volunt'rio (also twanging guitar and violin) and the final composition Epit'fio (soaring keyboards).

The longer tracks sound pretty progressive featuring a lush instrumentation.

Classical guitar, vibraphone and violin in the very alternating Invoca''o: from dreamy with flute-Mellotron and twanging guitar to compelling and bombastic or a fluent mid-tempo with fiery guitar and propulsive drums.

Violin and harpsichord in the also alternating Rosa M'stica: frequent sensitive electric guitar runs and a strong grand finale with guitar, organ and vocals.

And soaring keyboards, propulsive guitar riffs, bombastic organ and howling guitar in the strongly build-up Saudades Da Serra.

I had to get used to the contrast between the folky and classically oriented parts with warm and emotional native vocals and the fluent and bombastic parts with exciting work on guitar and keyboards. But in the end I was very pleased with this first solo album by Gerson Werlang.

My rating: 3,5 star.