Miragem (Bacamarte, 1983)

This beautiful instrumental track belongs to “Depois do fim”, the only album of the Brazilian band Bacamarte, and a higly rated record by the International progfans core. This “Miragem” features virtually all the main points  of traditional symphonic rock: blazing keyboards, dreaming guitars, a creative rhythm section and – a welcome bonus – even an Arabic taste.

 

Bacamarte were born in 1974, but their sole record

was released ten years later.

 

The musicians’ performance is excellent and the band’s intricated plots and multiple interplays are simply stunning. There’s a scent of PFM and a taste of Yes, but also a vague and pleasant Southern colour, adding life and sun to the music. Last but not least, this track is a living testimony of the surprising and persistent worldwide diffusion of prog rock.

UFO (Bacamarte, 1983)

This is the first track from Depois do fim, the only album released by the original line-up of the Brazilian band Bacamarte. One of the hidden treasures of prog rock. Listen to this instrumental intro and you'll find a bit of everything: classical music, South-American folk, Italian prog, Spanish guitars, ambient passages, Genesislike and Floydlike moments... well just name it! That said, the track is not a mere compilation of favourite prog styles, there is a strong and original temper, sweet but not sweetish, pleasant but not trivial.

A dark cover for a bright music.

 



Please don't forget the rest of the album, where you'll also listen to Jane Duboc's beautiful voice. One more thing: even if this music is so sweet, the topic is not: Depois do fim ("After the End") is about the end of the world and the day after. The typical scent of '70s is not strange: released in 1983, this album was actually recorded by the band in the late '70s, then abandoned and rediscovered five years later. Luckily, I daresay.