GRANDE ESPÍRITO

During the brainstorming session for the South America special, it was already clear to me that "Grande Espirito" by the Brazilian prog band Sagrado Coracäo Da Terra would be the closing piece of my 15-part mission. This makes sense given that the album has been one of my favorites for years, and for good reason. Marcus Viana's violin playing is breathtakingly beautiful, immersing you in the soul of the music, giving meaning to the colorful band name: the sacred heart of the earth.

"Grande Espirito," released in 1993, sounds sultry and intimate, timeless, and as Brazilian as it can be. With this fourth album, the band once again presents itself as a standard quintet, accompanied by a variety of guest musicians. The depth in the eight layered compositions takes you to the essence of the music, captivating you in the process.

The passionate opening of Kian immediately grabs your attention. A tingling Peter Gabriel-like keyboard theme propels the song forward, while vocally delivering a remarkable performance. There is no lead vocals; it's all backing vocals shaping the song, resulting in exciting music where the electric guitar sparkles, and the violin is virtuosic. After this exhilarating start, it's time for Libertas. In this subdued track, singer Bauxita tries to convince you of the qualities of this music. Effortlessly, he navigates through the piece with his warm expressions.

The album features two English-sung tracks: the musical-vibe-infused Human Beans and the beautiful ballad Sweet Water. The fact that Bauxita sings with an accent adds some charm, especially in the ballad. The endearing touch he brings fits perfectly. Even a track like Eldorado has something special. This song, sung by guest vocalist Milton Nascimento, is indeed a brief experience, but it will stay with you for the rest of your days. It's quite remarkable that a song consisting only of keys and vocals manages to leave a lasting impression.

You can fully enjoy elements like the Kansas-like viola in the intro of the title track Grande Esperito. The instrument has a rustic sound, allowing you to hear the horsehair of the bow brushing over the strings. The rest of the track is equally enjoyable; Sagrado doesn't waste a second. In the instrumental Rapsódia Cigana, the roof truly comes off. It's a constant tumble of piano, violin, and acoustic guitar, while tasteful percussion holds it all together. This is Brazilian temperament to the max. Finally, you have almost 14 minutes to recover through the beautiful closing piece No Pais Dos Sonhos Verdes.

Sagrado has successfully blended progressive rock, world music, pop, and theatrical music with Brazilian heritage. It's pleasing that there's careful composition even at the detailed level, incorporating bamboo flute, mandolin, cello, sitar, Indian percussion, and even a glass marimba in the mix. While other bands may fall short in this regard, Sagrado is a versatile outfit of good taste.

Orginally posted on www.progenrock.com

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