BIOMASA

PLANETA IMAGINERIO are a fairly young band out of Spain and this is their second release from 2008. An 8 piece band here with two sax players along with trombone, trumpet, bass, drums, guitar and keyboards. By the way the keyboards include Fender Rhodes, Hammond organ, piano and synths. As Chris Cutler has excaimed publically, these guys know how to compose and arrange songs. A very talented group.

"Cosmic Speech From The Imaginary Planet" is a short atmospheric intro with Spanish spoken words. "Washington Sniper" kicks into a Jazzy mode right away. Piano comes to the fore after 2 1/2 minutes as the bass continues to throb. Horns then guitar take turns leading then the tempo picks up after 4 1/2 minutes. "Capture" features relentless and prominant bass. I like when the guitar leads as the piano and drums help out.Horns to the fore after 2 1/2 minutes. Some crazy and funny vocals a minute later then the organ comes in when the vocals stop.The tempo starts to speed up late. "Biomass" has a relaxed sound with acoustic guitar, bass and drums. Horns follow then vocal expressions after 3 1/2 minutes. Horns replace the vocals then intricate guitar replaces the horns. Nice. Vocals join in after 7 minutes then the horns return.We get that relaxing sound from the intro back before 10 minutes.

"Black Box" is my favourite. It kicks in after 30 seconds with horns but the tempo will shift often. Some nice electric piano, guitar and bass before the organ starts to float in and out. Great sound 6 minutes in. Sampled words before 7 minutes with an intense soundscape. Some ripping guitar before 10 minutes then a jet flies over and crashes.Just a killer track. "Farandulero's Theatre" opens with piano as acoustic guitar joins in followed by sax as it slowly builds. Spoken words can be heard at one point. "Cosmic Speech" is a short piece with spoken words and atmopshere. "Today Is A New Day" is jazzy, bright and uplifting. It settles with piano after 1 1/2 minutes then picks up 3 minutes in with the piano leading. It's bright again to end it. "The Summer" opens with piano and drums as horns join in before 3 minutes. It's fuller 3 1/2 minutes in then the horns lead a minute later. It's the guitar's turn then it calms down before 6 1/2 minutes to end it. "Optical Delusions Of A Bipolar Bear" opens with different people talking then it kicks in fairly heavily. It settles with intricate guitar after 1 1/2 minutes then kicks back in at 3 1/2 minutes. It's heavier 6 1/2 minutes in. A little dissonance as horns and clapping end it.

These guys mix it up just enough to keep me interested. An enjoyable Jazz / Rock album.