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Violeta De Outono - Espectro CD (album) cover

ESPECTRO

Violeta De Outono

Psychedelic/Space Rock


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Mellotron Storm
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars I first heard about this new album from a thread on another site and I must admit I was taken back a bit as I didn't know they were even working on a new release. Well would you believe on my way home from work that same day I stopped and got the mail and this was sitting in the mail box ! Strange but true. I can only imagine that the guitarist Fabio sent me this but he didn't let me know ahead of time or since. He has sent me music before including THE INVISIBLE OPERA COMPANY OF TIBET which is absolutely killer stuff. Actually I let my Bro In Law borrow that cd and he couldn't believe how good it was. He has a lot of musicians come to his house and jam and the one guitarist wanted to buy it from him right on the spot. Back to VIOLETA DI OUTONO and I have to say that their "Volume 7" record is one of the most meaningful albums I own. It just hits me emotionally for some reason so I was really hoping this would do the same. Thankfully it does at times but not as often.

"Formas-Pensamento" has a sort of dreamy intro with vocals. Organ joins in then drums and bass a minute in. Nice instrumental section after 3 1/2 minutes especially the guitar. So good ! Check out the bass and organ too. The guitar sounds amazing after 6 minutes as well. Vocals are back before 7 minutes. "Montanhas Da Mente" is a top three for me. A crisp beat with guitar and reserved vocals sounds incredible. Organ joins in and my God this is good. The water is rising 2 minutes in. Nice bass and synth work too. A melodic guitar solo after 4 minutes. "Dia Azul" is laid back with vocals. A tasteful guitar solo is trumped by a more passionate one before 4 1/2 minutes as the drums pound. "Ondas Leves" has this drifting yet rich sound with prominant drums and bass as the guitar plays over top. Vocals arrive 3 minutes in as the organ floats. A change before 5 minutes as it kicks in with power. No vocals here.

"Claro Escuro" is a top three. It's uptempo with synths and heaviness as the vocals join in. "Algum Lugar" is my final top three. It sounds like "Stars Die" by PORCUPINE TREE on the verses but not on the chorus. Just love how this sounds though. Cool sounding guitar before 3 1/2 minutes too. "Anos-Luz (Manito's Dream)" is psychedelic with vocals as sounds echo. It picks up and the guitar, organ, bass and drums all sound great 3 minutes in after the vocals have stopped. "Espectro" opens with cymbals, then drums and atmosphere take over in this brief instrumental. "Solsticio" is another excellent vocal track. I like the piano during the instrumental interlude. Psychedelic vocals after 4 minutes. The bonus track is "News From Heaven" which is the first song done with English vocals.

A solid 4 stars for sure. This just hasn't hit me like "Volume 7" but that might change over time. Highly recommended regardless.

Report this review (#818047)
Posted Monday, September 10, 2012 | Review Permalink
ProgShine
COLLABORATOR
Honorary Collaborator
5 stars VIOLETA DE OUTONO has been really hard to categorize since the begining. They started their career in the mid 80's, where New Wave was in every tiny bit of Rock in Brazil, and yet, they were deeply rooted in Psychedelic Rock and Space Rock with colours of PINK FLOYD from SYD BARRET period. All of this sprinkled with New Wave, but just a tiny bit.

Their first record, Violeta de Outono (1987)is a classic! But the band had to let it go in the 90's, things weren't working for their kind of music anymore. They never really broke up and Fabio Golfetti always kept the dream alive. Only in 2005 they really returned with a new album Ilhas, since then their music comes slowly, but never stops.

I bought Volume 7 (2007) right after the release and I have to say, I simply love that album, it's one of the finest pieces of Space Rock in the Canterbusy Scene tradition and the new member (at that time) Fernando Cardoso added so much to the band with his keyboards, synths and specially, Hammond organ.

I've seen the band live many times since 2007 and I was really waiting for the new album. Following their steps closely. In 2010 Fabio gathered his mates, and under the INVISIBLE OPERA COMPANY OF TIBET name released a perfect record, UFO Planante (2010). That made me wait a bit more calm. But he promised a new VIOLETA DE OUTONO album to 2012 and it came.

The album was suposed to be released in March, but Fabio is now playing with GONG, that made the album delayed a bit and it was released in late May. But the waiting game worth every second.

Espectro (2012) is the best album released by VIOLETA DE OUTONO so far. They took the Volume 7 (2007) sound and developed even more. Fabio vocals are fragile, but that made them so special and unique. Plus the Hammond organs by Fernando Cardoso are more present than never.

The band has a new drummer, José Luiz Dinóla, and his style fitted perfectly to tha band and as usual Gabriel Costa bass playing is perfect, gives the right amount of low the band needs and his Fender sound is warm and clever.

One more thing has to be said. Espectro (2012) was recorded in the MOSH Studios in São Paulo in analog tapes, NO computers, at all. This makes their sound even more unique and you can say as soon that the first track 'Formas-Pensamento' starts.

You're into Canterbusy Scene, melodical Prog with the exactly amount of Space Rock, and Hammond organs? This is exactly for you. My top 3 of 2012.

Report this review (#838903)
Posted Tuesday, October 16, 2012 | Review Permalink
BrufordFreak
COLLABORATOR
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars A prog album with a sound and style very familiar to 1970s Rock Progressivo Italiano--especially to that of LE ORME--it also has quite a Canterbury feel to it--like KHAN, STEVE HILLAGE or CAMEL. Despite the pleasant, easy timbre and style of the vocalist, it is the instrumental sections of all the songs that really stand out. The keyboard play is outstanding and the wonderful electric guitar sound and style is kind of a cross between that of ROYE ALBRIGHTON and STEVE HILLAGE. And the melodies are the kind that haunt you and stay with you for days, pulling you back again and again to listen to see if it was real or if you were just imagining it.

The opening nine-minute 'epic,' "Formas-Pensamento" (8:54) is repeated in a longer English version as the album's last track, "New from Heaven" [9:26] ([8/10]). It has a very familiar, laid-back vocal (uncanny likeness to that of LE ORME's Aldo Tagliapietra), and is a fairly simple song and instrumental construct with a relatively slow pace to it. Where it differs and excels is in the individual instrumental sounds and performances: synthesizer, guitar, and organ soli are all OUTSTANDING. (9/10)

Other song favorites include: the refined, bluesy STEVE HILLAGE, CAMEL, and even SANTANA-like "Ondas leves" (7:38) (10/10); the amazing Latin-riffed SANTANA-like "Solsticio" (6:30) (10/10); "Montanhas da mente" (5:14) (nice keyboard work all around; love the jazzy CAMEL/NEKTAR-like instrumental sections) (9/10); the upbeat, fast-paced CAMEL and PINK FAIRIES-like "Claro escuro" (5:06) (8/10); the simple and very poppy, "Algum lugar" (4:14) (8/10); and the LE ORME throwback, "Anos-luz" (4:47) (8/10).

I gotta admit: There's no one out there doing music like this. It grooves, it's smooth, it's emotional, it's evocative, it's instrumental solos are so different than the rest of current prog. Here melody and feeling reign supreme. This is the modern equivalent to KHAN's classic (and my all-time favorite Canterbury classic) Space Shanty. Espectro is also an album that keeps growing on me--inviting me back again and again instead of getting old and stale. Highly, highly recommended, folks! Especially if you like mostly steady-paced, highly melodic music with a lot of excellent, excellent soloing. Though this may be a 4.5 star album, I'm going to give it five cuz it deserves to be heard. A lot!

Report this review (#912316)
Posted Sunday, February 10, 2013 | Review Permalink
tszirmay
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars This recommendation by a few qualified reviewers caught me a bit off guard, needing to have a few spin throughs and in different environments as it didn't quite click right away. As many prog fans know, there are some albums out there that like to play the coy and shy routine, like some dollied up vamp, seductive but distant. When I cranked up the volume and went for a long drive, the true nature simply appeared and seduced me. There is a few quirks that needed getting used to, such as the very typical Brazilian melodicism and the suave rhythmic softness their music is famous for. So I followed my tried and tested method of just concentrating on the delicious bass lines, here provided by the slick Gabriel Costa and let the soloists sort of groove over the arrangements. That's when I noticed that keyboard man Fernando Cardoso is a big Hammond fan who literally abuses the churning keys throughout, much to our agonizing delight. Leader Fabio Golfetti sings and plays the electric guitar in a very lyrical, breezy style that gives their brand of space psychedelia a warm tropical feel, while drumming in Brazil is the second national pastime after the 'jogo bonito' and Jose Luiz Dinola does not disappoint.

'Formas-Pensamento' starts the voyage with a vivacious 8 minute+ romp that exposes all the above mentioned endowments. A highlight track that stamps the disc with immediate credentials, you just know this is going to be fun ride. Nothing fancy-shmantzy or over produced, just plain old brilliant music by four qualified musical talents, nothing more nothing less. Probably my favorite track here, but it serves just perfectly the vibe that permeates this unsuspecting and unassuming disc. 'Montanhas da Mente' has a massive melody close to McDonald-Giles' 'Is she Waiting?' , some sublime guitar picking in that airy style with Senhor Hammond in tow, like a prog version of the Allman Bros, a shorter but to the point piece that is most agreeable melodically and leaves a feelgood sentiment. 'Dia Azul' is equally succinct but is loaded with stunning little details, such as a lush bass passage, some effects on the vocals and usage of electric piano. Nice indeed. The swirling axe solos sting with sunny delight, squealing like gulls in the ocean air, the bass washing the undercurrent and enough mood changes to keep one guessing. 'Ondas Leves' is another extended piece in the 7 and a half range, typically sprawling and languorous, showing a seductive form of space prog that has a very feminine appeal, I must say it because it's really true, very sensual and sexy music . The rippling e-piano gets me in the mood every time, the main melody is invasive and cuddling. Again, I find myself fixated on the fluid bass that fuels my obsession as it takes the instrumental mid-section into symphonic overdrive, hinting at Sebastian Hardie/early Camel classics, Golfetti showing off some deft skills on the guitar. 'Claro Oscuro' rages surprisingly, with manic bass and frolicking drums, churning organ and rhythm axe phrasings counterbalanced by fragrant vocals. This juxtaposition of soft and suave with flexible and passionate is what makes this music click, yet it takes time to seep into the soul. Check out the rifling organ solo, its brief but to the point. The instrumental section is simple superlative. 'Algum Lugar' has another divine bass driveshaft, a rather obvious vocal line, lavish piano stepping into play, more liquid guitar playing, nothing bruising or harsh but very much a team spirit that exudes the charm. The serene 'Anos-Luz' serves almost as a companion piece with wah-wah pickings giving the piece some spice, while still maintaining the leisurely pace that characterizes the style of this group. It may seem fluffy but it's not really, a subtlety that is only achieved with a cranked volume and focusing on that darn bass. The title track is a minute and 11 seconds long, deranged cymbals amid odd sonics and supple drum rolls, only in existence so as to introduce the indolent 'Solsticio', a dreamy exercise in experiencing the sunset of a set list, incorporating some very fiery soloing from the e-guitar and some dazzling electric piano (I am a sucker!) which is to pant over repeatedly. The sound is warm and non-fussy with very little artifices, preferring sizzle over dazzle, perhaps a tad too laid back for the hard-core fan but hey, its beautiful music whichever way you look at it.

There is a nearly 10 minute bonus track , recorded in 2010 with drummer Fred Barley and sung in English ,'News from Heaven' stays true to the style regardless of the idiom, wallowing sounds that reach for the skies, orchestral and splendorous recalling a simpler time when laptop computers were still drug-inspired daydreams. It starts out flowery like an early 70s west coast tune, only to evolve into a large guitar blowout with Golfetti bending, screaming, shrieking like a man possessed. The nimble bass work escorts in a stretched Hammond foray that would make Rollie or Lord drool with envy. When the two soloists combine we are brought back to that wonderful Allman feel again, the finale symphonic bliss at its best. A surprise that took me a while but I got there, a lovely disc , ideal for any breezy occasion.

4.5 Samba ghosts

Report this review (#983950)
Posted Friday, June 21, 2013 | Review Permalink

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