PATRIMONIO

These three guys from Chile are playing a fantastic, very original, versatile and energetic progressive rock influenced by many sources, King Crimson being only one of them. Here on their third release they managed to merge these multiple influences to their very own and refreshing style.

Like their previous works Patriomonio is an all instrumental album apart of one song and some very average mainly spoken vocals on a few tracks. The first four tracks are movements of the conceptual suite Valparaison Patrimonio about the port of Valparaiso, as a soundtrack for its presentation to the UNESCO to consider this city as an architectural patrimony of the humanity. First part starting with some street noise is a quite spacy piece reminding very much to Ozric Tentacles/Djam Karet in a more smooth way. On this album they're adding again a cello to their usual line-up of electric/ acoustic guitar, bass, and drums what they already experienced successfully on their previous album. The suite is dominated by this instrument throughout along with delicate arrangements and atmospheric pieces. Next track Camino serves as a transition to their usual energetic sound which is presented by the following two songs being again a bit Tentacles-reminiscent mixed with some complex fusion rock. After a short piece with Fripp-ish guitar play and an avantgardistic rendition of an excerpt from Olivier Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time their sound becomes somewhat harder for the last three tracks which are electric guitar-driven hard fusion rock numbers. This gradual shift towards harder stuff is actually quite enjoyable I have to say.

CONCLUSION

Musicianship on this very well produced album is top notch. Guitar and bass playing are at some points reminiscent of Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson showing at others the spirit of Tony Levin and Robert Fripp. Patrimonio is an absolute esssential album in any good progrock collection and should not be missed especially by all fans of Ozric Tentacles/Djam Karet. 4 very clear stars!