Moving Universe (Cast, 1999)

No doubt Cast are one of the best progressive rock acts from outside Europe (and even more than this). This song comes from the album "Imaginary Window" and begins with a gentle still lively intro, soon evolving into a Jethro Tull-like giga. The flute plays a central role in this song, even if, as usual with the band, all the instruments play as one and build up a full-bodied kind of sound.

"Imaginary Window" is  another pearl from the huge discography of Cast.

 

In fact, the rythm, the tempo and the leading instrument of "Moving Universe" constantly change, perfectly matching with the title. Francisco Hernandez and his electric guitar are brilliant, and so is the rythm section. The keyboards and flute interplays are among the highlights of this instrumental, so that I actually couldn't find a weak moment all along the song. This is prog rock at its best, a symphonic vertigo I recommend to you all.

The North (Cast, 1996)

The huge discography of Cast includes so many prog pearls that it's difficult to choose one of them for my blog (but it's not the first one and it won't be the last). "The North" is a beautiful two part suite taken from the album "Beyond Reality", pretty much in neo-prog style, very well written and performed, I daresay. The two sections are titled "Northern Place" and "All The Way from Nowhere", and really begin with a Northern, rather cold mood, soon evolving into an up tempo track, and there's where we find the warmest soul of Cast.

"Beyond Reality" was the 6th studio album by Cast.

As usual, the sound is a European one, but the fire inside the song likely comes from Latin America. Some od the keyboard / guitar interplays are stunning, and please look at all those tempo changes! And what about that devilish instrumental finale? Definitely, one of the best bands in their genre, and one of the best set up tracks of their career.

Initiation (Cast, 1997)

Cast is not only the best known Mexican prog band, but also a long lasting and prolific one. This instrumental "Initiation", the opening track from "Angels and Demons" perfectly explains the reasons of their durable success. I rarely listened to such a strong, vibrant and colourful intro, some 8 minutes of classical and intricated plots where all the instruments compete in a bombastic musical race. I'd like to point out some of the song best features.

Cast released "Angels And Demons" in 1997.

First things first: the drum intro. It's a great work by Antonio Bringas, who dictates broken rhythms and provides the hooks on which the keyboards hang up their main riff. This is another good point: Luis Alfonso Vidales' fingers fly on the keyboards and his style is reminiscent of Tony Banks'... not a deadly sin, after all. Last, some excellent guitar solos provided by Francisco Hernandez Reyes, giving a passionate melody and a deeper soul to the track. So, if you like prog as it used to be and maybe should always be, this track is for you.