Some people say going on holiday is an expensive business. Bullshit! You don't need to go by plane, you don't have to opt for a cruise in fact you don't need any form of transport at all! The only thing you need is a CD player and a stack of superb sounding CD's to take you anywhere in the world. Close your eyes and you'll even find the gorgeous bust of Jill Dando poking in your side (I said JILL Dando, not Evan Dando!).
After our two journeys to Japan, I invite you to a stint in South-America, Brazil to be precise! What better way to do this than to introduce you to the delightful Brazilian label, Progressive Rock Worldwide based in Sao Paulo. Apart from their own record store, their progrock magazine, their mailorder service and their own radio programme, PRW is also a label which focusses on the South-American market only. They release both older work and new work. In fact it is thanks to them that some of the older bands got back together again to record some new material. Take a seat, close your eyes (and keep your hands off Jill!) and let me introduce you to some of the Brazilian delights (and I'm not talking topless dancers in Rio here!).
All of these recordings have those typical influences in their music: the latin feel of the guitars, the use of violin and/or flute and sometimes some local instruments. The only big setback being that the Brazilian language is a difficult thing to go by, hence the fact that most of these otherwise great recordings are instrumental.
A BOLHA.
'Um Passo A Frente'
PRW 012. (51 mins).MARCO ANTONIO ARAUJO.
'Influencias'
PRW 013. (59 mins).MARCO ANTONIO ARAUJO.
'Cisne'
PRW 014. (53 mins).MARCO ANTONIO ARAUJO.
'Entre Um Silencio E Outro'
PRW 015. (59 mins).MARCO ANTONIO ARAUJO.
'Lucas'.
PRW 016. (46 mins).BLEZQI ZATSAZ.
'Rise And Fall Of Passional Sanity'
PRW 004. (56 mins).DESEQUILIBRIOS.
'Desequilibrios'
PRW 009. (54 mins).DOGMA.
'Album'
PRW 006. (58 mins).KAIZEN.
'Gargula'
PRW018. (56 mins).PABLO.
'El Enterrador'
PRW 020. (42 mins).RECORDANDO O VALE DAS MACAS.
'As Criancas Da Nova Floresta'
PRW 010. (53 mins).SOM NOSSO DE CADA DIA.
'Snegs'
PRW 011. (43 mins).SOM NOSSO DE CADA DIA.
'Live 94'
PRW 024. (54 mins).TELLAH.
'Continente Perdido'
PRW017. (45 mins).TERRENO BALDIO.
'Terreno baldio'
PRW 005. (46 mins).TISARIS.
'What's beyond?'
PRW 003. (69 mins).TISARIS.
'Once humanity'
PRW 023. (70 mins).TREM DO FUTURO.
'Trem Do Futuro'
PRW 021. (47 mins).A BOLHA (the bubble) recorded one single and two albums in their ten year history. This here is a re-release of their first album from 1973, an album which clearly shows their early Stones and Grand Funk influences. Also firmly rooted in the progressive blues direction as created by bands such as Savoy Brown but with occasional organ. There's even the occasional flute which takes us straight to the early days of Jethro 'Toe'. Unfortunately the recording quality on this CD is very poor (probably bad mastertape or better still no mastertape at all!) and the total sound is very dated.
We are in much better company with the very talented multi-instrumentalist MARCO ANTONIO ARAUJO. Opener 'Panoramica' from the 'Influencias' album sums up what it is all about: tons of flute and classical sounding arrangements blended with some superb guitar playing. In other words: a real treat ! In fact this track brings us close to the highdays of Jethro Tull.
On the entire album Araujo is helped out by the band Mantra who underlines the roots influences. On the title track he is even surrounded by a huge brass section which lifts the sound to