THE LAST TRIBE

Oh. My. God. What we have here is yet another awesome band that have been uncovered by Leonardo, this time from Brazil. This instrumental trio comprise Nelson Coelho (guitar), Jorge Pescara (touch guitars) and Miguel Angel (drums) and in many ways are quite unlike anything I have come across before. Apparently this band originally formed in 1987, but were on ice for a long period before getting back together in 2006, after which they released a couple of albums. Last year original bassist Andrei Ivanovic left, to be replaced by Jorge who instead plays touch guitar and this is their first album since then. What makes these guys so unique, is the way that they are bringing together so many different styles and forms of music in a way that is progressive, instrumental, heavy and containing so many influences that one doesn't really know where to start.

So, with an instrumental trio it isn't unusual for there to be plenty of jazz structures and tendencies, and that is indeed the case. But, there are times when these guys move from 13/8 into standard 4/4 without missing a beat and all of a sudden we have shredders that are moving the music in a very different direction indeed. It is slow, it is reflective, it is hard, it is in your face. Miguel is the one person attempting very hard to keep the others in line, as Jorge is not adverse to providing a secondary lead line, very different to what one would expect to a 'normal' bassist (although he can also hunker down when the time is right). But Nelson is a real star, with a wonderfully fluid touch that is reminiscent of the great Allan Holdsworth, yet often much more in the face in the style of Satriani.

This album could only ever be described as progressive, yet there are only the three instruments on show, which just goes to show what can be delivered by those who have totally mastery and understanding of what they need to achieve. This may be their third album in recent years, but the first to get a full international release, and I know that we are going to hear a great deal more from these guys. Just stunning. www.moonjune.com