ANIMAM

This is a unexpected release. A 17-year-old brazillian multi-instrumentalist releasing a independent album? Yes, it's worth hearing. Here's my opinion:

MUSIC - 5/5: The melodies are very, very, beautiful. From melancholic synths to upbeat recorders and epic string orchestra! Every song has a different feel and different influences. For example, in "Arcadia" a Bach's fugue style, played in recorder/harpsichord/synth give place to a groovy 70's rhodes style that later is followed by a electric guitar and double moog solo! The main theme from "Ánimam" (the one that opens and closes the album), appears in different ways through the album and is very touching. "Ilusões" (Illusions) is my favourite piece and a true progressive masterpiece, with lots of psychedelic, indian, funky and symphonic influences merged with mastery. For me it contains the essence of the album.

CREATIVITY - 4/5: Many different instruments and styles are present that creates different atmospheres. Like the guitar-sitar, recorder, pipe-organ, lots of moog sounds and effects. The melodies and harmonies aren't that unique, but they're really pretty. I can't give 5/5 on "creativity" because it's very much based on the enormous 70's prog style. But it's surely richer than most recent releases.

PRODUCTION - 4/5: As the album was mixed by Gustavo himself, I believe it lacks a little bit of maturation. The overall sound is nice and balanced, based on the 70's mix style. I liked this idea for it sounds like a lost 70's gem, but not a copy of the prog giants, actually he has a nice personality.

5 star because it's the record I wanted to hear since Wilson's The Raven... The true progressive rock I love with it's own ideas and innovations. An essencial work: I'm sure his next albums will mark prog's history!

And it's free to listen in his website and youtube!

This album made a strong impression on me. It happens that already at the first listening you realize that listening to something really special. This is not very often. And my acquaintance with the album "Ánimam" this is such a case.

Surprisingly, however, the author of this music, Gustavo Santhiago, only 17 years old! And already such a strong material! On his debut album, Gustavo demonstrates his talent as a composer, but also, to a large extent, and shows a high level of performance. All the keyboards and flute performed by Gustavo. And, more surprisingly, this young Brazilian is so imbued with the art-rock of the ' 70s, his album breathes the spirit of the time, and it can be safely put on a par with some of the best works of those years.

The album "Ánimam" is an exceptional instrumental work. Compositions rich in abundance of keyboards. I really like what Gustavo does not aim to impress with the demonstration of technique, and makes a significant emphasis on expressiveness and melodiousness. The album is very solid and listen in the same breath. Apparently, the author is under great influence of artists like Camel, Yes, Genesis and, of course, many other performers of art-rock. I'm sure most who appreciate retro-prog will love this wonderful album. I sincerely wish Gustavo success in work, and I hope to hear from him a lot of new works.

Great job!

After experiencing this album before checking the artist background, I guessed on a Spanish guy in his fifties leading a band with an ample experience of performing progressive music. The prediction was completely off, and that says a lot about the musical maturity, quality and inspiration to this record. At an age of 17, this competent Brazilian talent played keyboards and flute while composing and producing the album more or less on his own. The style is 70s Camel-dominated, melodic and symphonic. Gustavo's instruments dominates an album that is varied, beautiful and enjoyable throughout. For me, it reaches its highest peak in the epic Illusoes and the catchy and elegant Arcadia. One may argue that Animam 2 contains a tad too much quiet depressing church organ at both ends, but it does not take much away from an enchanting and rather timeless music effort.

Gustavo Santhiago is a young and talented keyboard player from Brazil who released in 2016 one album so far under his name. Animam is the title and is an excellent one from start to finish. He is helped by his brother Ricardo on guitar among others, both responsable for the compositions of the album.

The music offered is old school type of symphonic prog, very much in Yes, Camel, PFM direction, very nice arrangements from smooth to more up tempo, all is done with taste. Great job from all musicians involved, but Gustavo is the master here, a talented keybordist for sure with bright future ahead. So well played album that is hard for me to think that both Ricardo and Gustavo are teenagers here.

Every piece is truly well played, but Animam part I and II are awesome at best. Unexpected great album, really solid and recommended, some of the musicians from here will be part of Stratus Luna group few years later. 4 stars for sure

I was suggested to listen to this work of this compatriot musician and I simply did not believe in the possibility of someone existing who was not contaminated by the current mediocrity and aggressiveness. I may be being a little bitter about the art of the third millennium, but I already realized that this diagnosis is not exclusive to me, but to practically the entire philosophical and sociological class. It's hard to describe emotions, which are what make us evaluate songs, but as I'm a musician, I can only mention the high technical value involved in this work, practically all arranged by Gustavo Santhiago, who is also keyboardist for the band Stratus Luna. Long live progressive rock.