A LESTE DO SOL, OESTE DA LUA

Another solid outing by Marcus Viana and company. Since Grande Espirito, they have streamlined even more, writing fewer grandiose epics and more straightforward songs. The result is an album that can be enjoyed out of the gate but impresses further with subsequent airings.

To say that the more involved pieces have gone extinct in the Sagrado repertoire is not strictly correct, as "Lágrimas Da Mãe Mundo" clocks in at nearly 8 minutes and features trademark swirling melodies, and the instrumental "Maya" is a perfectly executed world music thesis. "Terra" is also a more involved ballad with delicate keys, vocals and violin.

Shorter succinct pieces are well represented, like the title cut, and the versatile vocals of Bauxita shine in the ultra melodic ballad "Serras Azuis" and the lively "Canção Dos Viajantes", which also features sparkling acoustic guitar and violin interplay. English vocals are, as usual, limited, but also blend naturally with Sagrado's lite Brazilian sound. In "Firecircle", shimmering feminine vocal assistance and yet another classy Viana solo build to climax before settling back for Bauxita's last pronouncements. I just don't know where Viana finds these singers, but I wish he could export them to the rest of the prog world, although he would need to export some writing and arranging prowess as well. Yes when I hear Sagrado I want to order up more of the same. Such uplifting music with not a trace of ego. A number of short instrumentals are sprinkled throughout and are not mere filler.

While this latest studio effort by Sagrado is as dignified as we have come to expect from them, I cannot give a full 5 stars because it comes across as a well woven collection of songs but lacks that certain total continuity that I equate with unqualified masterpieces. Still, a wonderful work that seems to come from east of the moon and west of the sun, or somewhere like that.