MODINHA

I noticed on their website, that LIFE LINE PROJECT offered their first official released album "Modinha" at a reduced price, so I decided to take the risk. I wasn't disappointed. In fact I was pleasantly surprised by this sparkling instrumental album. An incredible beautiful theme has been chosen as a sort of leitmotiv throughout the album. A languishing melody over a beautiful Brazilian/baroque sounding chord progression (Modinha), turned into a piano-jazz piece, into a classical guitar piece, returning in improvisations and finally played as a folk- metal song, is first presented as a beautiful symphonic piece performed by a very melancholic sounding synth. Songs like "Joy" evoke the best Emerson, Lake & Palmer, while "Dark Procession" is a sombre and brooding piece, dominated by the Mellotron. The twin guitar solo's in this song are absolutely amazing. Throughout the album there is a strong jazz-rock influence. Just listen to songs like "Stampede", "Another Dayride" or "Quasar". "Subjective Object", one of the two only compositions by guitarist Jason Eekhout, sounds a bit stiff and strained, perhaps due to a too tight click track following. "Keeper Of The Keys" however shows us a completely unchained rhythm section, providing a heavy foundation for the incredible virtuosities of keyboard-player an principal composer Erik de Beer on his Hammond and his Moog. In fact the Moog solo's on this album will please many an ELP fan, because Erik can easily compete with the best Emerson and his Moog sounds fat and analogue as ever. A haven of peace is reached in "Sonho" a touching composition with some fantastic oboe playing by Dineke Visser. "The Chase" is a weird, but virtuoso acoustic composition for flute, classical guitar and piano. My favourite is undoubtedly the "Jazz Intermezzo" with some great and beautiful piano soloing by Erik de Beer. In "Modinha-Final" LIFE LINE PROJECT once more hit us with everything they have got, ending the album with in true musical orgy of sound. The bonus track is a somewhat romantic variation on a theme from Erik's keyboard method, nice but not exactly revolutionary. "Modinha" is an album worth checking out. I had great fun listening to this little known album, so I think 4 starts are well deserved! Whistler.