ALBUM

Elegant and well crafted instrumental neo-prog from Brazil. Following a similar path to that of their fellow countrymen of Tempus Fugit, albeit with a less degree of bombast, Dogma really did a beautiful job in their debut album. Quite a laconic album for their first release. "Album", isn't it? Besides Tempus Fugit, other references regarding Dogma's prog style are 80s Camel, Craft and The Enid, as well as the Genesis-based melodic sensibility that is so common in modern symphonic prog. In fact, the labors of keyboardsman Renato Coutinho and guitarist Fernando Campos are somewhat influenced by Banks and Hackett, respectively. Sagrado Coracao violinist Marcus Viana guests on track 2, providing an effective complementation to some guitar leads and accompanying the keyboard layers in order to enhance the symphonic nature of the main motif. The gentle tone and the melodic delicateness are the two leit-motifs that sustain Dogma's musical ideology: the opening track 'Beginnings' has a pleasant air of simplicity about it, while the following three are a bit more sophisticated, particularly 'Night Winds' and 'Seven Angels in Hell', which comprise some interesting ambience and tempo variations, although the band seems focused on keeping things not too pompous, as if they were specially concerned about the motifs and the orchestrations rather than the exhibition of technical skill. Anyway, it is obvious in tracks 3-4 that Campos' keyboards assume a clear starring role in the overall instrumentation. Things get softer in 'Movements', almost melancholy, for the most part of it, until the last section introduces a more exulting tempo. The 22 minute suite that closes down "Album" is located in such a strategic place: after a catalogue of pieces that had an implicit colorfulness that never got to burst out as in a Catherine wheel, 'A Season for Unions' finds Dogma getting more overtly symphonic than on any other track in this recording. That was a real requisite, since the epic structure of this number demanded a more orchestral attitude from the band. The surprising fact is that the band's melodic side is explored without getting too bombastic, really - actually, 'A Season for Unions' is, generally speaking, even less pompous than most of the previous tracks. This suite is more based on evocation and candor than on bombast. All in all, Dogma's "Album" is not precisely superb genius, but it certainly is a pretty interesting opus, full of attractive musical ideas which are well ordained and never get too redundant nor trivial - 3 to 3 ½ stars for this one.

Instrumental neo-prog?...Yeah,why not,and that is coming from Brazil...and it is really interesting as well...With the collaboration of Marcus Viana of SAGRADO CORACAO DA TERRA on the violin,DOGMA deliver smooth,melodic,easy listening,yet perfectly arranged instrumental symphonic prog that will heal your ears...Not something that could be considerd as a masterpiece but also very far away from boring instrumental efforts...Their debut is clearly british influenced with bands like CAMEL,PENDRAGON and CYAN coming to mind during the listening of the album...Maybe the best comparison would be a more sophisticated and melodic version of their native band TEMPUS FUGIT...The highlight of the album in my opinion is ''Movements'' with the last section of the track being a very emotional one...Nice addition to any prog collection,this one earns 3,5 stars from me and I'm begginig searching for their second (unfortunately and last) album...

Dogma was a relatively short-lived Brazilian band that recorded two fine albums during the nineties and then disappeared. The band's 1992 debut is a collection of melodic and tranquil instrumentals, the longest and most noteworthy of the 6 tracks being the 22-minute closer A Season For Unions. Dogma was clearly influenced by Camel, with Fernando Campos's guitar work highly reminiscent of Andy Latimer. There is nothing here to offend the ears or to lower the spirits; this is music to calm and soothe.

First track, Beginnings, is fairly run of the mill with nothing to set it apart from a host of other Neo-Prog tracks. Things improve dramatically with the carefree Clouds, which features a guest appearance by Sagrado Coracao violinist Marcus Viana. After a minute or so of atmospheric guitar/keyboard noodlings, the main tune is characterized by the expressive and voice-like tone of Viana's violin. As the tune drifts along it perfectly captures the image of passing clouds. The opening of Night Wind sounds like Watcher Of The Skies, one of probably countless song intros that do so. Thereafter it's another pretty nondescript Neo-Prog tune. Dogma must have liked the opening section of Seven Angels In Hell, because they virtually replicated it on the title track of their follow-up album Twin Sunrise. Ok, so they're maybe not the most original of bands. In my view the penultimate track, Movements, is the main highlight of the album. The hauntingly seductive guitar of Fernando Campos should warm the cockles of even the coldest heart. That leaves the aforementioned A Season For Unions, which is overflowing with romantic themes that Dogma brings together faultlessly. Following hot on the heels of Movements, these two tracks provide a very strong finish to the album.

In summary, this is a spirited and genial offering from one of Brazil's lesser-known bands. It's on a par with the band's second release, so it merits the same 4 stars I gave that one.