A DROP IN THE OCEAN, AN OCEAN IN A DROP

This Brasilian musician is a multi-instrumenalist: he plays piano, flute, guitar and bass and also uses a wide range of guest musicians (playing instruments from Moog and sitar to oboe and percussion). Most of the 19 songs on this CD are mellow and dreamy acoustic folk with fine interplay between flute, acoustic guitar, flute, violin, sitar or saxophone. Some tracks sound more as symphonic rock: the dynamic Terral with swirling flute, violin and Mellotron waves, the King Crimson (Red-era) inspired The Hunt (fiery sax and electric guitar) and A Drop In The Ocean (delivering piano, sax and Moog flights). I was very pleased with the warm Spanish guitar, blended with violin and flute on Bamidbar. For me this is a beautiful folk-oriented CD with some symphonic compositions.

Multi-instrumentalist SERGIO BENCHIMOL is an experienced musician,as hes was part of brazilian bands SEMENTE and TRUE ILLUSION during his career.He released his first personal work in 2004,entitled ''A drop in the ocean,an ocean in a drop''.A very demanding work,this album is a weird yet fascinating compination between chamber music and progressive rock.First part of the album contains exclusively chamber-oriented tracks based on tasteful flutes and nice classical guitars,surrounded by the use of instruments like cello,violin and sitar.As the album unfolds the music follows more complicated and energetic ways with the addition of electric instruments and a tight rhythm section,this time having a jazzier sound due to the heavy use of saxes.You'll be reminded of MANEIGE,pastoral Italian folk/prog bands or even a jazzier E.L.P. with nice piano/flute work and obscure synthesizers by Benchimol himself.This is mainly a mellow and relaxing album,but certainly it will appeal only to open-minded progsters,who would like to add a more chamber and jazzy taste in their music.