ESCENES

This is one of those albums that should be remembered by prog lovers. It may not be as known as I suppose but one of the reasons of my review is that I would like to bring more attention to this beautiful album. Gotic were another one-album band from Spain that was created in the 70s and later disappeared. Their debut and sadly only album was released in 1978 with the name of "Escenes", and fortunately, the talent of these musicians was shown as it best in this wonderful record.

The album features 7 songs and a total time of 37 minutes. It is very important to point out that Escenes is an album composed by only instrumental songs, so do not expect those Spanish vocals ala Triana or Crack, no. Here you will enjoy beautiful symphonic, pastoral and charming music.

The first song is "Escenes de la Terra en Festa I de la Mar" which works as an introduction of the album. Here you will find charming flute leading the scene accompanied by nice and constant drums, and also soft keyboard sound. There is an interlude in this track which transmits calm and peace. The music takes an inspiring and confident road.

"Imprompt" does not have that full symphonic element found in the opener song, instead, hear you will listen to a jazzy mood and rhythm, the drums are excellent but the flute is sublime. Later the song changes a little bit, there is a gentle piano sound, some odd synth sound and a guitar solo that reminds me to Focus or even Mahavishnu in some ways. Then that delicate flute sound returns.

"Jocs d Ocells" starts with another soft flute sound, with acoustic guitar and piano. While the seconds pass the song is developing a new and exciting structure, with a peaceful and graceful mood, where you can only have a smile and take a deep breath. It ends with a beautiful flute sound, just as it began.

"La Revolucio" follows the previous path because it starts again with a delicate flute and piano sound. After one minute and a half the song changes to again a jazzy mood that now reminds to some short Return to Forever passages, but just in moments. There are some claps in this song and later a kind of military drums while a far but beautiful flute sounds. Then the pastoral sound prevails and the atmosphere is again peaceful. The next track is "Danca D. Estiu" is a short song which fits perfectly at this part of the album, is like an interlude which actually represents the direction of Gotic's sound. The flute and keyboards are great here.

"I Tu que ho Veies tot tan Facil" starts with a mellotron sound along with nice acoustic guitar, this reminds me to Camel's Never Let Go. And actually I had forgotten to say that in general the sound produced by Gotic can have in Camel (Snow Goose mainly) their inspiration. The flute is that beautiful instrument that marks the mood of the composition, while drums and keyboards also play a main role here, so all the musicians put their grain of sand to help building this excellent song. There are several changes because you are listening to a soft and pretty delicate passage, but all of a sudden it grows and the sound becomes a little faster. The symphonic element is always present here, a great song.

"Historia d una gota de aigua" is the last and longest song of Escenes, with more than 10 minutes of beautiful music. This song features every single element previously offered by the band, so it could be a compilation of Gotic's sound, all their essence, textures and colors are shown here. As usual, the flute plays a magnificent role, while keyboards, guitars and the other instruments also do a great job. While you are listening to this you will feel satisfied, you will receive peace and charm, because the sound is simply lovely. The song is progressing little by little until its sound transmits only pleasure but in some way a sense of a final. Happiness and melancholy can be found here, in this extraordinary last song.

This is an album I like so much, every single time I listen to it I fully enjoy it, no matter my mood, it brings me joy and peace. My final grade is four stars.

Enjoy it!

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