CICLOS IMAGINÁRIOS

As I've been doing in recent months, this is a premier review for an album by a less known artist -- and in most cases, including this one, totally unknown to me in advance. Sergio Benchimol is said to be "quite well known on the Brazilian prog scene. He played with symphonic prog band SEMENTE in the early 70s and with mellow jazz band TRUE ILLUSION among others." He has released three solo albums between 2004 and 2012, Ciclos Imaginários being the second of them. His mostly instrumental music mixes prog rock, folk, World Music and jazz fusion.

This 36-minute album has six tracks. 'Terral II' reminds me of JADE WARRIOR (the 70's albums on the Island label) for the dominance of acoustic guitar, flute and percussion, and for the slightly similar atmosphere which is adventurous in a laid-back and jazzy way. Present are David Ganc's saxes and some violin, cello and brass instruments, like on the entire album. 'Oregon Mountains' feels even jazzier than the opener. Is it just for the title or is my association to the fusion group OREGON appropriate? I think it is. Similar kind of open-minded sincerity can be heard on Finnish guitarist JUKKA TOLONEN's acoustically oriented albums such as Summer Games.

Benchimol's laid-back (and, on the course of the album, very secondary) vocals bring another level to the slow-paced 'Daqui prali' where various instruments are sort of having a conversation. The Brazilian colour is strongly felt, although the music also feels free of any boundaries. The next song continues in the similar direction, mixing serenity and liveliness excitingly and very dynamically. The soprano sax has a cat-like flexibility. 'Shadow Valley' is very jazzy and contains a superb trumpet solo while the strings are also very well present in the sharp and edgy soundscape. The crescendo is breath-taking. The final piece 'Ciclos' is the longest (9:12) and it becomes the album's prog highlight. Lots of wind instruments, namely clarinet, trumpet and trombone, and this is the only track where Sergio Benchimol plays also piano.

This was a pretty positive discovery in all its organic and adventurous nature. Recommended for those who enjoy World flavoured fusion featuring various kinds of acoustic instruments.