Sagrado Coração Da Terra (Brazil)

Before getting this album someone whispered in my ears that "Grande Espírito" wasn't in the same level of previous "Farol Da Liberdade" and that I should be disappointed - well, after many hearings my impressions are quite different."Grande Espírito", the 4th SAGRADO studio album is in fact much more sorrowful and somber, sometimes really obscure while their 2 previous albums are joyous and uplifting. The mystic factor spreads throughout the tracks, making this work a conceptual album per se.
Noticeable for the fans and listeners, especially the prog-heads is the ever- growing band's progressiveness index, their wonderful musicianship and the addition of a new singer, Bauxita, very tuned, with sharpen voice, a bit haunting, more synchronic with the prog scenario. This album, neatly symphonic indeed, could also fall in the 'eclectic' categorization due to the so many blendings perceived along its tracks: folk, classical, rock, pop, etc.'Kian' opens the album in a soft and quasi-neo-prog way, the apparently glad atmosphere hides a powerful and sad mantra-like choir, repeating miserere nobis like a prayer altogether with a mesmerizing musical arrangement. 'Libertas' is a great song, hitting directly in the Brazilian hearts, where New Testament words are mixed with fine poetry and remembrances of the deeds of heroes of the nation - poignant and emotional, even being hard to be understood if you're not part of the landscape.
'Human beans' is one of the tracks sung in English which flows in a rocky style interchanging with some pop and agreeable tunes. The short 'Eldorado' brings the guest voice of the giant Milton Nascimento, who is able to transform a single song into a magnificent serenade. A great moment encapsulated in a narrow passage of the time, like a delicate perfume in a little flask.
Titletrack 'Grande espírito' is where the mystical moments appear more intensely. The song itself is odd and not easily palatable, although saved by the fine band action and the exquisite vocals. 'Sweet water', the other track sung in English, is a gorgeous, peaceful and romantic-like song, very pleasant to hear even not showing any different and bombastic playing which is a typical SAGRADO signature.
'Rapsódia cigana' (Gypsy rhapsody), au contraire, is thunderous and frantic, with that clear band footprint. The 'gypsy' content is set to add a plethora of folk and Eastern tunes, which provide a weird taste to the song, making it very enjoyable to listen to. 'País dos sonhos' (Dreamland) is the album's epic and where SAGRADO exercise the plenitude of their abilities, influences and enchantment. One word to classify it: unique.
SAGRADO CORAÇÃO DA TERRA discovered a new horizon and carried us through new musical lands and possibilities with "Grande Espírito", making this truly a great work and wholeheartedly an excellent addition for anyone's music collection.

An enjoyable collection aimed firstly to international audiences and bearing band's name translated into English, "Sacred Heart Of Earth". Additionally some songs are sung in English, but they lose their original impact due to singer's accent and mainly to the translated lyrics where you can transfer words but not ever ideas. Otherwise, the production is great and the musicianship is high, SAGRADO are a band that excels in these points.
As said elsewhere, this album may be a fine entrance door to the band and also to know how Brazilians approach progressive music, an issue characteristic of our culture, neither better or worse, simply different. Brazil's folk and traditional tunes are steadily spilled along the tracks, in an array of sophisticated and complex sounds, that certainly will please new and old band's appreciators and fans.
'2001 - Also Sprach Padim Cisso' is a great starting point where strange (for a non-Brazilian) sounds coming from the inner land mix with futuristic arrangements resembling those done by Eumir Deodato for the original Strauss' piece.
Other songs were reviewed in their previous albums but some are truly interesting like 'Kian' and 'Travelling show'. 'Sweetwater', originally in English, increases greatly with its catchy and soft harmony.
'Sagrado' is a petit bijou, 'Carpe diem' is neatly agreeable, 'Gypsy rhapsody' is totally frantic while 'The central sun of the Universe' provides a great adieu to this remarkable and almost flawless compilation.
Not really a masterpiece, but a work compulsory to be included in any music collection, be it progressive or not.