*. Algaravia .*

Album: Breve E Interminável (1996)
Genre: Prog Rock (Symphonic/Psych./Heavy/Jazz)  /  Brazil

In the context of the latter half of the 90s, Algaravia's sole album comes as a lovely surprise that certainly should have received more recognition and should catch the attention of a larger number of prog collectors everywhere. This group has created a powerful combination of rock-fusion, jazz and a domesticated sort of Crimsonian prog, conveniently fueled with a proper dose of stylish psichedelia. Indeed, the heavy prog label indexed to this album is quite inaccurate; this is more jazz-prog fusion with a healthy dose of extra eclectic elements. "Breve e Interminável" is not a brief album, with its 75 minute span, but again, that is not to say that it is tiring or something like that, since the creativity is always active throughout the whole repertoire. Now, let's lend our eras to the repertoire itself, shall we? The opener 'Crimsoniana' bears that dual guitar vibe that generated peculiar dialogues in the 80s KC format, but basically, the fusion element (delivered with some aggressiveness) is the most predominant: Algaravia predates a sonic trick that a few years later we will find in Mar de Robles and Gurth albums, for example. 'Lamento' and 'Variacoes Sobre Tema Nenhum', which together fill a 20+ minute space, take full advantage of their own rooms to expand the ambiences developed in their own themes and variations. The lead guitar enjoys a starring role, being frontally rocking in the former piece and more jazz & funk oriented in the latter. The following piece, 'Cellula Mater', combines both factors with an aim toward elaborating an enhanced sophistication that turns out to be one of the album's most explicitly exciting pieces. 'Crisalida' moves to a very different mood, one of soft warmth and sweet nostalgia, fed with Akkerman-style guitar phrases and rooted on a grayish, autumnal atmosphere. 'Mosaico' seems to pick up from the preceding track's languidness at first, but once the main body settles in, the fusion- prog framework with balances aggressiveness returns as recognizable as a lifelong friend. Once again, the Mar de Robles reference comes to my mind. 'Quimera' has am ore permanent softer side, quite relaxing really, conveniently attenuated by Crimsonian twists: then, the second section brings a rocking power that shines in full splendor. Another highlight from this album. 'Bebop Blues' is quite loyal to its title with its bluesy and be-bop overtones, but the Crimson-oriented fusion thing reappears solidly in the main body's development. I feel this piece as a younger sister of 'Cellula Mater'. The album's full picture is completed with 'Iluminancia', whose first minutes are dominated by eerie ambiences, then becoming more intense without letting go of the contemplative vibe. The coda, delivered on a solo classical guitar, perpetuates the romantic spirit that had impregnated the track's core. So, "Breve e Interminável" is a gem of modern progressive rock (post-80s, I mean), that should not be already forgotten ? I recommend it as a great addition to any good progressive collection, and of course, one of many examples of the powerful (albeit not fairly acknowledged) input that South American countries have been bringing in for the preservation of artistic rock worldwide. 
Review by "Cesar Inca" (Prog Archives).

RATING:  7.75 / 10

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