Band info. "Spanish keyboardist Alberto Márquez (AL.MA Project) releases his first solo album Metamorphosis on the 5 Lunas label. The album features 8 instrumental tracks, produced by Márquez himself (former member of Omni, Onza and Metáfora), and includes contributions from a top-tier international line up of musicians: Alberto Márquez (keyboards, piano and synthesizer), Alfonso Romero (El Tubo Elástico) on bass, Chus Gancedo on drums, Francisco "Pancho" Hernández (Cast and Mexicali) on lead guitar (7 tracks) and Antonio Valderrama (ex-Sherish) on guest guitar, on the most Andalusian-inspired track on the album entitled Dreaming The South." 1.The Long Journey. First an atmospheric intro that contains tender electric guitar runs and spacey keyboards. Gradually the music turns into more bombastic, emphasized by flashy synthesizer flights, and fuelled by a powerful and dynamic rhythm-section. Halfway a sumptuous outburst featuring fat synthesizer runs, followed by a fiery guitar solo. The final part delivers a tight mid-tempo beat with synthesizer runs, often pitchbend driven, and topped with a heavy guitar solo. A promising start! 2. Dreaming The South. It starts with a slow rhythm, in a mellow atmosphere, with a spacey synthesizer solo, and subtle guitar work. Then a moving guitar solo, blended with tender piano. Halfway the mood shifts to my beloved Rock Andaluz (reminding me of Iman) with soaring keyboards, then fat Minimoog sounding synthesizer soli (featuring Morish hints) with pitchbend, trademark Alberto Márquez. Finally guitar overdubs, I love that twin-guitar sound. 3. Day Of Triumph. This splendid keyboard-oriented track (Vangelis comes to my mind) is based upon military drum beats (bolero-like), blended with a wide range of keyboard sounds, from powerful Tony Banks inspired Hammond organ and soaring Mellotron violins to often sumptuous Minimoog runs, how impressive, Vintage Keyboard Heaven, Alberto Marquez shines! 4. Rebirth. First delicate interplay between electric piano and classical guitar, then a slow rhythm featuring a moving electric guitar solo. Next a wonderful blend of keyboards and guitar. Halfway an accellaration with spectacular synthesizer flights and powerful bass runs, in a mid-tempo beat. The second part delivers strong work on synthesizers and electric guitar, with flowing shifting moods and nice musical ideas, and again backed by an excellent rhythm-section. Variety and dynamics rule. 5. No More Words. This is one of my highlights, alternating between mellow, mid-tempo and bombastic outbursts, and embellished with classical guitar, piano, howling electric guitar, a bass solo and exciting work on the synthesizer (I love that impressive Minimoog sound), from spacey to glorious flights. The interplay between the musicians is awesome, this is the band in its full splendor. 6. The Echo Of Oblivion. First tender piano work, then a slow rhythm featuring a howling electric guitar solo, soon spacey synthesizer flights join, including a sparkling Minimoog solo. Then lush keyboards and moving electric guitar, in a cheerful atmosphere. The second part contain more wonderful work on vintage keyboards (from a spacey Minimoog synthesizer to subtle sounds from Hammond organ and Mellotron choirs). Again, the electric guitar is overdubbed, during a moving solo, an extra dimension. 7. Reflections. The pleasant harmonic and melodic Neo-Prog climate which reminds me of Pendragon. Halfway the music turns into a slow rhythm with spacey synthesizers. Then a bombastic eruption with fiery and moving electric guitar, a bluesy Hammond solo, and finally tender piano. Another track that features excellent work on keyboards and electric guitar, and lots of tension and dynamics in the music. 8. Trust. This final composition starts with a bombastic climate featuring glorious synthesizers runs, sensitive electric guitar and majestic Mellotron choirs, backed by dynamic rhythm-section. Halfway a moving electric guitar solo, blended with piano, then flashy synthesizer soli with pitchbend and a harder-edged guitar solo with howling runs, a perfect power and emotion combination. The final part alternates between mellow and bombastic with spacey synthesizer flights and again majestic Mellotron choirs, a beautiful conclusion. From the very first moment I am delighted about this elaborate instrumental album: the 8 melodic and harmonic compositions are tastefully arranged, with the focus on a wonderful vintage keyboard sound (Minimoog, Hammond and Mellotron) and powerful and moving guitar work. This is backed by an excellent rhythm-section, no doubt all are skilled and experienced musicians. Highly recommended! **** Erik Neuteboom (edited by Dave Smith) Where to buy? |
