FLECHA

***1/2 in fact, but Side 2 of this 1987 vinyl : "the symphonies" gets 5 star to me : "Toccata" plus "cosmos x caos" and the instrumental "o futuro da terra" are among the best SAGRADO compositions, they are "organic" full of life, not "high tech cloning prog". So this and 1st Sagrado (1985) are hero records, showing that prog survived as independent acts around the world though 80's. Hey, "dark ages" was for Prog mainstream, NOT TO independent acts. The advantage of the 80's heros (SOLARIS, IQ, CODA, ICONOCLASTA, DIFFERENCES "the voyager", MARILLION, etc.), is that they kept the innovation and self expression spirit that nowadays seems reduced to virtuoso-high tech 70's cloning. See my CODA and ICONOCLASTA reviews, please.

If you begin to listen "Flecha" side 1- "the songs" you can consider the 80's beat influence (few) annoying. Side 1 is made of sweet songs blending symphonic, Minas Gerais state melodic music (romantic) and many prog touches. The lyrics are so positive and beautiful I get full of good energy, only the 5th "carinhos quentes" is boring. So if you want prog, you should skip to side 2 tracks 6, 7 and 8. Here you find symphonic prog, better style comparisons goes to BANCO, QVL from Italy. Originality is SAGRADO CORAÇÃO DA TERRA (translation : Sacred Heart of Earth) high point so if you prefer to feel comfortable with ala Yes-Genesis models ore others models forget SAGRADO, as they sound innovative like the true spirit of progressive music is. As I mentioned side 1 is song oriented but is neat, so I'll keep 3,5 stars.

I choose their 2nd vinyl to review also because, in 1987, Marcus Viana (violins, keyboards, compositions ands vocals) was still an unknown artist from Minas Gerais state. Later he became very famous here in Brazil for lots of soundtracks and new age solo albuns., And even for French MUSEA label SAGRADO was elected one of late 80's early 90's best band. Overall maybe their best record is the 4th "Grande Espírito" (1994). There's no track from "Flecha" chosen for the "Sacred Heart of Earth" 2001compilation anthology CD. This anthology is all sung in English, but I prefer SAGRADO "in natrura" singing in Portuguese.

If you like (or even if you don't), Ezra Winston, Kerrs Pink, Rousseau, North Star, Vermilion Sands, Halloween from France, these bands composed especially for "Seven Days of a Life" MUSEA team concept CD : the cycle of the journey through Life. The result is GREAT, believe this cosmopolitan project works ! "Seven Days of a Life" is a ****1/2;1993 CD with only unpublished material, except the SAGRADO "the central sun of universe" which was also composed to this CD, but due to long delay was allowed to appears at SAGRADO 1991 3rd CD "Farol da Liberdade". By the way the project idea was old as all bands recorded the cuts around 1991, but the CD was released only in 1993 . Please, take a look at my "Seven Days of a Life" review.