FOGO NO BALÃO

The first time I listened "Opus I" by DIAPASAO, was so impressed that immediately got the three EP's the band had released (free fro their site), added them to Prog Archives, and now I can start reviewing the latest one "Fogo no Balao" (Fire from the Ball).

Unlike "Opus I", this long EP places more emphasis in a beautiful blend of Classical, Brazilian Ethnic music and Jazz, creating wonderful atmospheres and beautiful melodies for those of us that are enamored of Brazilian music.

It's important to notice that since the first EP released in 2008, the band is no longer a trio, being that they have added flute, violin and classic guitar turning into a sextet.

The album begins with "Arrebol" (Afterglow or Aurora), a soft flute and classic guitar track with piano and percussion which includes drums and marimba, but not extent of changes adding faster jazzy passages, but always keeping that classical oriented sound that Gustavo Lana adds with the piano.

"Talvez un Filho" (Maybe a son) is faster and more elaborate, now they move towards some sort of Folk Jazz territory, with the flute taking the lead through long passages, the soft percussion adds that fusion atmosphere. As the song advances gets much more interesting and addictive.

For the first time in the album in "À Flor de Maracujá" (Passion Fruit Flower), the flute leaves the lead to piano, now they leave Jazz realms to try a more folksy and warm sound, but as usual the Prog spirit remains intact in the elaborate structures.

"Maracatú" is an Egberto Gismonti classic Brazilian tune that slowly advances from a soft piano tune to a typical Brazilian song with a mixture of classical and native instruments, specially the seven chords classic guitar which adds a unique sound, simply beautiful.

"Paula e Bebeto" (Paula and Bebeto) is another famous song, this time by the legendary authors Milton Nascimento and Caetano Veloso, presented in a more adventurous way with a jazzy atmosphere.

The album ends with the completely Fusion oriented "Balaozinho", their style changes dramatically leaving most of the ethnic influences behind and focusing primarily in a soft form of Jazz Fusion, even when the flute and percussion always show us we are in front of a Brazilian band.

Incredibly beautiful album, only recommended for those who like the fusion of soft Jazz and Brazilian music......3 stars that should be 3.5.