GEMINI

Solis is a brazilian progressive rock band with one album under their wings released in 1999. A good friend of mine and a prog connoisseur, Virgil, was kind enough and give a copy of this album. I was very pleased what I heared, symphonic prog with a touch of folk in places, and definetly, at least for my ears this is not neo prog as is stated in their page. What stroke me was the voice of Ricardo Figueiredo, for quite some time I never heared such emotional voice, such sadness in his tone, excellent. If the instrumental passages are from symphonic prog , like the first track or the last the longest one, the middle of the album, here are only 4 pieces, tracks 2 and 3 are almost pure acustical pieces with with a folk touch , superb arrangements and amazing vocal parts. Even it may sound strange for some reviewers but my fav piece are not the more up tempo ones, or the most longer and sophisticaded ones, but the third piece, L'essence, sung in french with a funny accent, but man what a piece , such sadness in a man voice I quite never heared for many years on prog band, It put a tear in my eyes, superb. The second choice is the first track, the most intristing one and the most symphonic prog from all 4. Great musicianship, even is not a spectacular piece, it containing some very good moments, both on vocal arrangements and instrumental passages. One of the most enjoyble album I heared lately from Brazil, similar with Temp Fugit, infact a musician from that band, the bass player , helped Solis on track 4. 4 stars easy, quite unnoticed band, but worth every second, belive me, the accustical parts, the more up tempo ones, the voice , all is well done, sincere band. Recommended.