III

CARAVELA ESCARLATE are a trio out of Brazil and this is their third studio album released in 2023. A trio of bass/keyboards/drums and each member has a lot to say with their instrument. Then the bass player adds vocals and that is what moved me to purchase this cd was the description of the vocals because I was very much on the fence with this one. Really glad I picked this up but I do feel the production is off, I just can't get past the way this sounds. It's not clear at all and this is 2023.

On the other hand I also can't get past how much I enjoy the music here and especially the vocals. Favourite track is "Castelos Do Ceu" and it's not close with that distorted organ bringing Canterbury to mind being the key. It's just a great song though and plenty of vocals. There are two instrumentals out of the seven songs. The bass on this record is some of the best I've heard to be honest. I wasn't expecting that while the drummer is very active but I'd love to hear this remixed.

There's some of that distorted organ on the instrumental "Mandala" along with mellotron. Great track as well. It's surprisingly haunting to start "Cruz Da Ordem" almost gothic. I like the bass/synth combo that comes after 7 minutes and not just here it works very well on other tracks. Check out the organ/bass after 9 minutes then some theremin? Or very spacey synths.Crazy stuff!

Count me a fan but considering the sound quality I can't go more than 4 stars.