FLECHA

By forgetting the first mainstream side of this album, with a lot of insipid pop hits, the second side, the symphonic one, is a splendid "Toccata and Fugue" in the vein of such stunning Baroque pieces of Classical music, with a final touch of great Latin Romanticism, which alone is worth checking out. Marcus Viana is involved here with the keyboards and the violin as usual, in a magical excursion.

Well this issue is not essential, but anyway it's very interesting, regarding of the second side, despite of being much inferior than for example " Farol Da Liberdade" and " Grande Espirito"...

The bright star who appeared from South America in 1980's that was the dark times of progressive rock. The masterpiece which expressed a heart of a song of MPB with a style of complete progressive rock. Of course it is five star

This album is the one of many albuns that formed the brazilian prog scene. I consider him a masterpiece from brazilian prog because this album contains the many points that characterize the pretty prog album: classical influencies, rock riffs, beautiful riffs on violino... many points that do this album be wonderful!!!

Starting with SAGRADO's 2000 output, the fabulous "A Leste Do Sol, Oeste Da Lua", I went backwards to check their previous works from which I'd heard a bunch of tracks detachedly. Well, I still didn't get their debut and namesake album but I got their second, "Flecha", a 1987 release.

Hearing this work in its entirety brought me some surprises: good production and musicianship, fine songs, pleasant tunes, nice vocals, etc, however the item progressiveness is far from being achieved. What is presented here is basically a series of catchy pop songs, Brazilian styled, with pigments of neo- prog and some touches of 70s symphonic. Getting SAGRADO's entire collection, from the scratch till the present, is an interesting observation of how a band evolves, in progressive terms, of course. One word, otherwise, shall be added: amid the low-level movement called rock-B that plagued Brazil in the second half of the 80s, SAGRADO CORAÇÃO DA TERRA was a beacon, twinkling in the darkness, as a refuge for those seeking for good music.

'Flecha', the opening track, starts symphonic but a kind of neo-prog trend takes place along the song. Nice lyrics and nice accentless vocals by the band leader, Marcus Viana, which is rare. The track itself is catchy, bordering cheesiness but anyway hearable.

'Manhã dos 33', has interesting lyrics celebrating author's 33rd anniversary. Additional female vocals intend to provide some childhood remembrances but the result is a bit fake. The song in its turn is purely romantic, very Brazilian, echoing some tunes from the Club da Esquina musical movement of the 70s, which was commanded by the exceptional Milton Nascimento, still today a kind of band mentor and inspiration.

'Paz' is real symphonic but pitifully short and serves mainly to pave the way for 'Seres humanos', a song where the care for the lyrics is noticeably greater than the care for the music, which isn't bad but brings nothing new except for the fine arrangement. 'Carinhos quentes' is another romantic track, pleasant but not defying at all. 'Toccatas' is a piece of classic music, displayed probably to show band abilities.

'Cosmo x Caos' the longest track here, is lovable and although being much more romantic than epic, it shows the prog face of SAGRADO. The result perceived as long as we are listening to the song is a grower. While singing parts are still in the vein of the abovementioned Club da Esquina movement, the playing parts will certainly stick on the skin of the prog-heads. 'O futuro da Terra', the closing track, is a beautiful instrumental song, cool and warm, with tunes reminding ambient music, the atmosphere is relaxing and uplifting. As always SAGRADO end their albums with a kind of message of hope, a very positive approach.

This album, considering only the progressive elements, should be for 'collector/fans only' nevertheless if we consider SAGRADO's career and the importance they have in the Brazilian progressive scenario, the rating shall rise one step. Final rating: 3.

This is the most orchestrated of the Sagrado albums I have heard, which include all but their eponymous debut. It comes across more as a pleasant romantic soft rock album than a progressive rock album. The naturally romantic sound of the Portuguese language is well suited to this style, particularly on songs like "Seres Humanos" and "Carinhos Quentes". The longest track, "Cosmos X Caos", combines sugary sweet vocal sections with intense orchestrations featuring Viana's many flourishes on violin. The closer is basically a classical piece.

While this early Sagrado album largely lacks the requisite edge for most fans on this site, it demonstrates an abundance of composition and arranging skills, and provides some hints as to the launching of this sacred arrow and the marvelous trajectory it would ultimately take. 2.5 stars rounded up.

***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.

As with almost every Sagrado Coracao da Terra release, the follow-up of the self-titled debut had a vastly different line-up with flutist Andersen Viana being the only member linked to both albums, except of course for Marcus Viana.The ''Flecha'' album was released in 1987 in CD by Sonhos e Sons and LP by Arteciencia, while the next year it was also issued in Japan, where the band was already quite popular, on Crime Records.

The eponymous opening track became very popular after being included in the soundtrack of the TV series '' Que Rei Sou Eu?'' and shows the sensitive approach of the group.The whole first side of the original LP is actually pleasant Symphonic Pop with some very sweet vocals by Viana and the two guest female singers, always directed by some melodic violin lines and dreamy keyboard and piano parts.The Classical influences are obvious through these tracks, which however hold a very ballad-esque attitude.On the other hand the limited room for some instrumental themes works nicely, featuring beautiful soundscapes with violins, piano and synthesizers in evidence.

The second side is a good proof of Sagrado's more adventurous side.The short intro ''Tocatta'' is nice instrumental Electronic/Symphonic Rock with balanced organs and synthesizers, leaving its place to the long ''Cosmos x caos'', an ethereal Symphonic/Fusion composition, like THE ENID performing with JEAN-LUC PONTY.The vocal parts still have a poppy flavor, but the music is quite great with sudden breaks, bombastic violins and keyboards and symphonic textures with a dramatic atmosphere.''O futuro da terra'' sounds extremely close to THE ENID.Long piano interludes, ethereal flute melodies and floating synthesizers combine with Viana's crying violin to offer another nice piece of mellow Symphonic Rock.

Sagrado's style still retains this unbalanced delivery of Symphonic Rock mixed with Pop aesthetics, but the instrumental textures of the album have been developed in a great way, thus delivering at moments highly melodious yet demanding music.Good and recommended album.