DEPOIS DO FIM

For a good 16 years, it looked as though Brazilian symphonic prog band Bacamarte would join the ranks of the one album bands. They did however manage to double their output in 1999. "Depois do Fim" is their highly regarded 1983 debut, the title approximating in English to "After the end".

With no less than 7 members in the line up, including a three man rhythm section, a female lead singer, and a dedicated flautist/accordionist, the opportunities for diversity are exploited to the full. Within the first couple of minutes, the opening track "UFO" has moved from a gentle acoustic guitar opening through melodic flute to a mellotron soaked Yes like staccato section. Choral vocals build the atmosphere in Renaissance like fashion, while Spanish guitar and flute jockey for supremacy. Such diversity in a relatively short time runs the risk of sounding disjointed, but here the feeling is one of excitement.

After a spirited introduction featuring flute of a more incisive nature, "Smog Alado" introduces us to the powerfully melodic voice of Jane Duboc, who dominates with ease the array of synths and guitars which support her. "Miragem" returns us to the constantly changing instrumental moods of the opening track, the emphasis here being more towards lead guitar. Some wonderful flute too though.

Of the eight (or nine if you have the CD) tracks on the album, three are short 2 minute interludes. The first of these "Passaro de Luz " is a delicate acoustic song which places Duboc firmly centre stage, backed by some fine Spanish (Portuguese?!) guitar. The song is a more orthodox ballad, but makes for a worthy interlude. This is immediately followed by the second short number, "Caño" which comes across as an intro to the following track. "Controvérsia" is a short piano and synth improvisation with an ELP sound.

In between the short pieces, we have the album's feature track, the nine minute "Último Entardecer". This epic is a stately guitar driven number which floats on a sea of keyboards, with striking synth runs and a variety of guitar sounds. The track weaves through some highly enjoyable melodies to climax in the same stately mood as the intro.

The album closes with the 6½ minute title track, which begins with a mournful synth fanfare before the female vocals return for an organ backed ballad. This is interrupted by another diverse instrumental sequence, before " Jane Duboc" returns to tie things up. The closing mellotron backed flute and guitar section makes for a wonderful conclusion to the album.

The extra track on the CD " Mirante Das Estrelas" features an impressive instrumental display, but overall the piece is rather cold and lacking in atmosphere.

Overall, a superb album which should have served to establish Bacamarte's place on the world map of Prog. Thankfully, due in no small part to sites such as ours, the album is receiving the belated recognition it deserves.

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