EXTRACTOS

Ledesma followed his impressive debut from 1996 with yet another solo album called ''Extractos'', released in 1997 and belonging among the first productions of the emerging Mexican label Luna Negra.Most of the musicians appearing in ''Motivos para perderse'' are present here as well, but the line-up was actually quite expanded with 10 singers and musicians helping out in the 14 displayed compositions.Ex-Nirgal Vallis guitarist Alejandro Schmidt teams up with Ledesma again in one track, playing the electric guitar.

''Extractos'' sounds a step closer to atmospheric Prog Folk, having a more peaceful, gentle and relaxed side compared to Ledesma's debut, always driven by the Mexican's beautiful keyboard and piano passages and exhibiting an array of traditional instruments, the final result coming close to the mellow sound of Italian's HOSTSONATEN.The basic lines of the album are built around the work of Ledesma on acoustic strings and a nice combination of synthesizers, electric and acoustic piano, producing rural soundscapes with a slightly atonal mood and an overall ambiental approach.The music becomes occasionally richer with the addition of percussion, violin and wind instruments and obtains a dreamy feeling via the presence of the guest female vocalists.The MIKE OLFDIELD principles become also apparent during these tracks, some of them feature a discreet touch on electric guitars.Ethereal folky orchestrations with a genuine identity, which could have a been a little more energetic.But Ledesma never forgets about his previous days with NIRGAL VALLIS and certain pieces in here, especially the longer ones, still retain a symphonic atmosphere with more pronounced electric guitars and keyboards.The music of course remains very delicate and polished with some dark parts at times, led by Ledesma's tricky synth, organ and piano plays, which result to some fine instrumental Progressive Rock with a challenging sound.

I can't say that I am that impressed by this album after Ledesma's fantastic debut.It is less balanced and more towards ambiental Prog with folky colors, but the arrangements are always of high class with good use of acoustic instruments over a palette of keyboard flashing.Recommended.