THE BOOK OF COMEDY

This is a first rate recording to be added to the usual Brazilian suspects : Quaterna Requiem, Tempus Fugit and Aether. The entire disc is chock full of highly interesting compositions, well balanced and loaded with atmospherics, stylistic twirls and zesty leads from (brothers?) Ze Lima on guitar and Ricardo Lima on keys. The true obvious "genius" is bassist Claudio Cepeda who lays down some neat rythms throughout , very much in the Squire Rickenbacker mode with lots of trebly tones and deft fingerwork. I always go through at least once all prog albums listening uniquely to the bass guitar , generally a very good barometer of overall quality.Tracks 3 and 4 provide the epic extended pieces where each musician has the stage to express their craft but the real killer track is the aptly named "Leviathan" a monster piece that has CLASSIC written all over it. Perhaps the album is a little clinical for some of the more experimental prog fans out there but prog played with such gusto and finesse dissipates any negative sub-impressions , as this is quite original , typical of the "looser" Brazilian attitude towards music where technique is always relegated by emotion (just like with soccer, of course!). This album comes strongly recommended for symph prog fans. 4 laughing pages