
SCARLET CARAVEL-CD 2019
I know keyboardist Ronaldo here from the city of Campinas (he, like me, was born here, state of S.P. Brazil)
When I met him, he was a producer of Progressive Rock fanzines and he interviewed me (ALPHA III) around the 90's
for a radio station. When he released this cd, we met at a Sebo in Campinas where he presented me with 5 copies.
I don't follow the scene much, in particular, that of Brazil. But I know many musicians and works sporadically through
research.
I was surprised that Ronaldo had become a keyboard player. Later I learned that he had moved to Rio de Janeiro, and
we had few contacts. Ronaldo is a self-taught keyboardist. But not a pianist along the lines of the old ones like Keith
Emerson, Patrick Moraz, Rick Wakeman or Rick Van Der Linden with a solid erudite formation. About this CD, it is very
pleasing to the ears, especially to those who are more used to standard tonal sounds and typical instrumentation of
Brazilian progressive rock from the 70's, such as Casa das Máquinas and Som Nosso de Cada Dia
Ronaldo researched well the timbres of Hammond, Moog and Mellotron, and the band (a trio) did a beautiful job,
including the cover. today, where musicians and composers are lacking, this work is very good. Even in view of the
limitations that exist in various sectors. What could I say to the people of Caravela Escarlate?
I don't think anything, because their proposal would be exactly to make a round, progressive sound, traditional and
tonal cliché, pleasant for most collectors who like to hear exactly the same things over and over again (not demeaning
the group's job) But this type of sound, for me, it's dated, and it doesn't take off in the most electronic, avantgarde and
serial experimentalism like some damn bands do in the current scenario, with the consequence of being ostracized
because most people don't like or understand their music!
I don't do traditional progressive rock myself, because even in SPECTRO (my band from 1974) I was already taking a
rougher, erudite and avantgarde path. With ALPHA III I went into more symphonic areas, including prepared acoustic
pianos and more Schoemberg, Stockhausen, Varèse and Steve Reich. Obviously Caravela Escarlate totally fits the
limitation of "traditional Brazilian progressive rock" in every way. I couldn't compare them with Egberto Gismont,
Hermeto Paschoal, Arrigo Barnabé, etc... of them don't get into psycho-electronic music or space rock. In other words,
a great CD for those who enjoy the traditional 70's brasilian progressive rock style, and also very well done as music and entertainment.
SCARLET CARAVEL
Bass, Guitars, Vocals : David Paiva
Drums :Elcio Cáfaro
Keyboards :Ronaldo Rodrigues